tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33780624370608354382024-03-13T23:20:29.362-07:00With a hint of sanity!Who would have thought that Brett and I would be where we are today? Not us. Life has a way of surprising you, and making you a little bit crazy. Lucky for us, with all the crazy we have a hint of sanity!Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-5419525699823841032012-12-25T23:08:00.000-08:002012-12-26T10:51:49.420-08:00End of year/Christmas letter<style>
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2012 Christmas letter</div>
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2012 was a great year for the Yerkes family. We had some big
events, and some small, big changes and small. I feel like with Facebook,
blogs, and things like Instagram, everyone already know what there is to know
about our family, so I am just going to talk about the things that felt most
significant to us, and in no particular order.</div>
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Family- We had a nice surprise in March when we realized we
were going to have another child. We had been thinking about it, but were
surprised to find out I was pregnant. I guess when you open your heart even a
little to something good, God steps in and makes it happen. And we are so glad
he did because Cydney (CC) has been such an incredible blessing in our family.
I am still in awe over how much I love this child, and how full she makes our
life feel. I am also thrilled by how much her brothers and sister love her too.
Dillan constantly asks to hold her, but like most guys, the second she starts
crying he hands her over…and says she is hungry. Lexi thinks she is the cutest
little thing (high praise from Lexi). Derrick is now affectionately being
called “smother brother” because he can’t seem to leave her alone. </div>
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Church- The Church is such an important part of our lives,
and one I do not talk about much. I love the Gospel, and feel so grateful for
what it adds to our lives, for what I know, for the comfort and peace it gives
me when I think of my children and their facing the world we live in. This year
our family scripture study has been much more consistent than in the past, and
more enjoyable. The kids being able to read means they can follow along better,
and read some of the verses themselves. My calling has widened my view and
helped me work harder at helping my kids relate to the scriptures and apply the
gospel principles in their daily lives. If there is one thing that has become
glaringly obvious to me this year it is how far from perfect I am, and how much
the Atonement means to me. Dillan will be getting baptized this upcoming
February, and that has made both Brett and I feel even more strongly about how
important it is to make sure he understands what baptism is, what it means, and
how wonderful that blessing is. </div>
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Money- This is something that feels significant to many
people, and Brett and I are no exception. This year was different for us. We
decided to stop using credit cards all together. We made a budget, read Dave
Ramsey, as well as many other finance books, and decided to make some changes
in our habits. We have loved the results. We have less “stuff” and will likely
go on fewer trips, but we feel great!</div>
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Jobs- Brett has worked at Harvest for the past four years,
and in November we felt really good about him making a change. There was little
to no room for advancement or growth in that position, so he put in his two
weeks. He is currently serving at Ruby River while we look for something that
is a better fit for our family than Thanksgiving Point and the restaurant
business in general. As for Rachael, I am still working, though less than I have
in the past. I have great clients, and still LOVE my job, at least most of the
time. </div>
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School- We were really excited when Lexi got into the same
French program as Dillan. The year started out rough as Lexi was WAY behind
grade level. Fortunately, we were able to get her a great tutor, and with
private session2-3 times a week, she is now doing really well. Dillan is still
excelling at school, and LOVES to read. He reads everything! Lexi still prefers
television to reading, but is doing much better than she was at the start of
the year. They both are doing really well in French, and it is so much fun for
us to hear them chatter away in it. Derrick is in preschool, and loves the
social aspect of it. </div>
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Vacation- Vacation is very important to our family. We
started the year off right with a fun family cruise in January to Mexico. It
was so nice to spend a whole week just playing with the kids, not worrying
about school, cooking, cleaning, etc. In April Brett and I were fortunate
enough to be able to go to South Africa, and visit where Brett served his
mission. What an amazing experience. We saw wild animals, played in the ocean,
learned of the culture, and best of all got to visit old friends from when
Brett served thirteen years or so before. During the summer we stayed closer to
home and visited Yellowstone for a few days, enjoying the geysers, wild
animals, and most importantly the resort pool! We were also lucky enough to
spend a week in Salmon canoeing, river rafting (floating), four wheeling,
fishing, cooking, and just having fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These trips were significant to us because of the fun, the
family time, the sharing of stories, and sillies, and the creating of new
memories!</div>
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Another thing that was new to us during 2012 was the making
of freezer meals. Since I spent what felt like the whole year pregnant, it
meant I spent the whole year feeling crappy, and having NO energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, in order to save my children from
a diet of only cereal, I had to make sure I had food on hand that would be
fast, easy to prepare, relatively healthy, and tasty! When I had good days I
would make as many freezer meals as possible to get us through the bad days. We
now have a collection of favorites, and life at dinner time has been greatly
simplified. </div>
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Some favorites from the year:</div>
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Brett- Playing softball!</div>
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Dillan- Piano</div>
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Alexis- Friends</div>
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Derrick- Netflix!</div>
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CC- Mom</div>
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We hope next year we can continue to grow, learn, and
experience challenges that make us stronger better people. We are so grateful
for the many people in our lives, both family and friends, who have made this
year so great for us. We have felt so much love, support, and friendship, and
hope you have felt the same from us! </div>
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Love, The Yerkes Family</div>
<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-84963307597722704312012-12-18T20:20:00.000-08:002012-12-18T20:20:05.854-08:00Pressing pauseOne of the things I am most grateful for today is the fact that nursing my baby MAKES me press pause, several times a day. I am a goer, a doer, a mover. I have always struggled to take a step back, take a moment and just enjoy. I usually think about the next thing on my list, the million things that don't get done. <br />
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I am feeling very grateful today. Having a baby has put me behind in a lot of areas. Today I am okay with that. Today I just want to snuggle my kiddos, hold my baby, stare at her beautiful face, and enjoy this time of year.<br />
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<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-32465971916166643502012-12-05T19:58:00.000-08:002012-12-05T19:58:21.990-08:00Counting my blessingsI went back to working this week. Whew, hard. Brett is transitioning into a new job and doing some stuff on the side so I have literally only seen him for about an hour and a half all week. Plus he can't talk on the phone at all at either job, so I don't get my daily chat/vent/catch up that I am used to. I am sort of stuck at home, because taking a newborn out is unwise, and who has the energy? Needless to say, this has been a challenge for me, the perfectionist, efficiency master. What normally takes me an hour is taking me three. My home, which is far from perfect normally, is looking worse for the wear, and my poor children, other than CC are probably feeling slightly neglected. And my work, well I need to adjust my productivity expectations. <br />
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Yesterday was tough. Really tough. I tried to work ALL day. Every time the baby fell asleep Derrick needed something, or some crisis needed to be managed. My car broke down (I had just had the radiator replaced, and while it was fixed properly, not enough coolant was put in, so it overheated) on my way to get my kids from school, and I was stuck in a freezing cold car with Derrick and CC for an hour, until a good friend came and fixed it. Lexi missed piano lessons, and I lost an hour of time I just didn't have. My kids didn't like the dinner I fixed, Dillan had a meltdown, I never made it to the store, so I had no fresh food in my house, and I felt exhausted. I really felt like I couldn't take five minutes for myself, and I needed some "me" time, but CC was screaming, Dillan was crying, Derrick was desperately seeking attention, and Lexi was off making messes. Let's just say it was not a super mom day.<br />
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This morning I tried to start fresh. Brett woke me up in time for family scriptures, then he was out the door with the kids, and off to work for the day. I did some picking up, took care of baby, grabbed a shower, and got Derrick out the door for preschool. I needed to run to the bank, so I did that, and then decided I would take CC over to see her Nana, who just had a surgery and is not too mobile. I grabbed my laptop as I was running out the door, hoping to maybe take advantage of having my hands free to get some writing done.<br />
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It was wonderful. Nana and Pop held the baby, I wrote more articles in an hour and a half than the entire day before. My Father-in-law was heading to the grocery store, so he offered to do my shopping, so I gave him some money, and was able to check that off my list. I got home and there was a lovely gift from someone I do not know well for the baby hanging from the door knob. Derrick was happy to play in his room so I got a quick nap in, then Brett was off in time to get the kids from school so I did not have to take the baby out in the cold. I started thinking about dinner and realized a sweet neighbor had given me a freezer meal, so I pulled it out to defrost. I wanted a treat, and found a key lime cheesecake we had ordered from someone for a school fundraiser. My kids ate well, they played together nicely, did their homework, and I got some fun time in with baby and Derrick. What a blessed day. <br />
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While adjusting to the slower paced life of having an infant, I can honestly say I am feeling very blessed, if a little stressed. We have been so blessed to have such generous friends, neighbors, and family members. The ward brought us dinner after the baby, and then several neighbors and friends also offered, which has really lightened the load for me. Many friends and family members have called to see if we need anything before they run to the store, which makes life much easier for me, as dragging a little one out in the cold is not ideal. We have been overwhelmed by the many thoughtful gifts, cards, and gestures from friends and family, but also from people we do not know well. Even though it is December, and money seems to be tight for many, people have gone out of their way to share in our joy and happiness at having this sweet newborn. You know you are blessed when your hand cramps up after writing out the many thank you cards for gifts, support, and love!<br />
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So despite a fairly challenging week thus far, I am counting my blessings tonight and feeling grateful, messy house, and incomplete work and all. And the five blessings I am most grateful for, Brett, Dillan, Alexis, Derrick, and Cydney! <br />
<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-19386538097729958882012-11-24T15:12:00.002-08:002012-11-24T15:13:36.385-08:00Baby CC Birthstory!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Am_7j7Qd-bKKAGeWFQ3FDx_8OMzm4VJNSH6QN8j7o59CF6hilymS9DtceYIa4WwIhY4Z9cU-uZiKsd4PLC3K0bDwcE90wewRJKOC4X1I15VAyRhmC0Fx9uulN8DKFGl8u9q5DfPC150/s1600/IMG_5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Am_7j7Qd-bKKAGeWFQ3FDx_8OMzm4VJNSH6QN8j7o59CF6hilymS9DtceYIa4WwIhY4Z9cU-uZiKsd4PLC3K0bDwcE90wewRJKOC4X1I15VAyRhmC0Fx9uulN8DKFGl8u9q5DfPC150/s320/IMG_5829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf50VAvsjlhUUbxP4Z2CxzC4CPtIuNC3vBglBHLsUWG0JS57pGULs5x80ckiVfhJEDjs_OGLO2Iqv9BUGl3FtkE4nb0vErwSMTCYVxrCNqcTSxALpWp_EX00BjSOAIr-lQeiUl0k-wSs/s1600/IMG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf50VAvsjlhUUbxP4Z2CxzC4CPtIuNC3vBglBHLsUWG0JS57pGULs5x80ckiVfhJEDjs_OGLO2Iqv9BUGl3FtkE4nb0vErwSMTCYVxrCNqcTSxALpWp_EX00BjSOAIr-lQeiUl0k-wSs/s320/IMG_0374.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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With this being baby #4, and what we believe is our last child, Brett and I decided that we would try a different approach to the birth. We originally started this pregnancy with the OBGYN group that we had the other 3 kids with, but after some issues with their billing office, I decided that a change might be in order. Who wants to stress over billing? Pregnancy is challenging enough without the added pressure of a billing office that can't seem to figure out what you owe and why. So we took our business elsewhere. Deciding where was not easy. I wanted good quality of care, but did not want to move from one baby delivery factory to another. So we did some looking, and I decided I might want to try using midwives. Most of the midwife groups in UT County are associated with OBGYN offices, and so finding the right group was a challenge. I opted to go with Better Birth. They are in Orem and SLC, have CNM's and others and a birthing center.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhschrRaiX371iNMxziI0WzN3e4G3JnwMhl0d8XaLE5MJrkeP5b00xi-z2-5V8w9tIpmQkJElgwnla5tHeoe8iyZjJS8Wi_-j5nLPUiX-c9a7VSn1jvv0pO0uiVR241Fcl8YzHyzwAc_DM/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhschrRaiX371iNMxziI0WzN3e4G3JnwMhl0d8XaLE5MJrkeP5b00xi-z2-5V8w9tIpmQkJElgwnla5tHeoe8iyZjJS8Wi_-j5nLPUiX-c9a7VSn1jvv0pO0uiVR241Fcl8YzHyzwAc_DM/s320/IMG_0385.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
My reservations going with them was having the baby at a birthing center rather than a hospital. It took a lot of research and prayer to determine this was an option I could be okay with. I knew for sure I did not want a home birth, and was hesitant about committing to a facility I couldn't get an epidural in if I ended up deciding I wanted one. But I was pretty sure I wanted to try for a natural birth. Besides the cost effectiveness of this decision, the recovery is touted to be far better, and the experience very different.<br />
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My prenatal visits did not seem all that different from what I experienced at the OBGYN. The wait time was significantly less. I only had to wait to get in once and it was only for a few minutes. This I can appreciate, as waiting for over thirty minutes for a quick check never sat well with me. Although the midwives are available to answer any questions, and schedule a minimum of half an hour for you, I did not have many questions, as this is baby #4 for me. So most my visits were about ten minutes long. Another difference is the midwives never "checked" me at a visit. Even at 40 weeks, they just measured and listened to the heartbeat, got the baby position, and my vitals.<br />
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The Day Of:- WARNING- I am going to go into detail, so if you do not want to know..don't read!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhrHlmFZI2TvuqA0jmtEgrbE3kXFTDR0BZAEil9V8RLGU710n51nP3ZX_-1UwulqKMv0R_OmmWGJJ4PsAnHlxWaeIVW5kglYTxw190O2duzxkUwkc_aSBRzwO4-naGHBjFpjneZhN5cY/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhrHlmFZI2TvuqA0jmtEgrbE3kXFTDR0BZAEil9V8RLGU710n51nP3ZX_-1UwulqKMv0R_OmmWGJJ4PsAnHlxWaeIVW5kglYTxw190O2duzxkUwkc_aSBRzwO4-naGHBjFpjneZhN5cY/s320/IMG_0384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is right before I got in the car to head over and have her, about 12:45 pm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexRTTSJpaDWa2vejIa7OY2hGA7I1cop_HF4IZVAbvON8fyZ9BG0z6cPsjV7ky79pJ0CBYHY0h18iMHlgie68GrGqh9ZbuRK6upTbkeNgFXu2z-v0uaZY76t9fum-kjuJgv_Ne92eVA04/s1600/IMG_5846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexRTTSJpaDWa2vejIa7OY2hGA7I1cop_HF4IZVAbvON8fyZ9BG0z6cPsjV7ky79pJ0CBYHY0h18iMHlgie68GrGqh9ZbuRK6upTbkeNgFXu2z-v0uaZY76t9fum-kjuJgv_Ne92eVA04/s320/IMG_5846.jpg" width="240" /></a>I started having contractions about 4:30 am. I woke up to use the bathroom, and had a moderately painful contraction. I got back in bed, but had a difficult time going back to sleep. After about 5 I realized I was having pretty regular contractions, so I decided to start timing them to see if this might be it. I decided to walk around the house, and take a bath because they say if you change activities, positions, etc. and they continue it is probably real. I was 2 days past due at this point, and while I know that is an arbitrary date, it made me more wary of the real thing versus braxton hicks.<br />
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By about 7:30 I was having contractions 4-6 mins apart for about 45 seconds to a minute. In the past my labors progress fairly quickly, so I decided to call the midwives and try and go in after the kids got to school. They asked me all the questions, and said to come in about 9. I cleaned my bathroom and the kitchen, and tried to make arrangements for the kids while Brett took them to school. We set it up for Derrick to go to preschool a few minutes early, and asked Gma Simmons (my mom) to pick him up. Originally Brett's parents were going to get the kids when we went in, but they work at the Temple on Tuesdays so they were not available.<br />
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We went in, and I was still having contractions every five minutes or so. They hurt, but not so bad that I couldn't walk or talk through them. The midwife checked me and said I was at a 3, but with the baby sitting so high, and my cervix still tilted back, that I should just go home, get some sleep, eat some protein, and try and get ready for when I am really in labor. I told her that I felt like I really was, and reminded her that I had tested positive for Group B Strep, and that I would need to be on the IV for 4 hours. She was fairly sure that it would not be a problem, and told me that they had other options if I hadn't been on for four hours, like a wash. I had done my research and the wash is not proven effective, so I let her know I preferred to be safe rather than sorry, and go with the IV. I felt like she blew me off, and sent me home despite my feelings. I was not thrilled when we left.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNRGTYv1e5FIjVmGlmFJykT0_gSxAsEbSvMK6JDwPsSQMjjtIZLYnbD97eJVx22oiN2UXe7Yba1Yly1fu2OaxszQtFPHB91ZBae9ywJPZdXQ8y5wQUvsvNDWiF9Bs1YBxje3fWoJjz3U/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNRGTYv1e5FIjVmGlmFJykT0_gSxAsEbSvMK6JDwPsSQMjjtIZLYnbD97eJVx22oiN2UXe7Yba1Yly1fu2OaxszQtFPHB91ZBae9ywJPZdXQ8y5wQUvsvNDWiF9Bs1YBxje3fWoJjz3U/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
We called my mom and told her not to pick up Derrick, and tried to make a plan for the day. Brett and I went to the grocery store, and I had tons of contractions while we were there. We decided to get some snack foods, and stock up on cereal etc. for after. We also had to pick up a couple things for Thanksgiving. We rented a movie, and headed home. I was still positive I was in real labor, and was just trying not to be too anxious about it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EyFkWFGRq5uUGHujxGIFno98kDSS7uUHUzALnEkTzegPp_k7u61iRTZqX0gXoUqw9PAWm23lqx0BynKbWdpCK0oiyW-5Oqx181vSeu39q4I-gvvc-ovw3LOlDnW2WkYUMPtTUgCkmm8/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EyFkWFGRq5uUGHujxGIFno98kDSS7uUHUzALnEkTzegPp_k7u61iRTZqX0gXoUqw9PAWm23lqx0BynKbWdpCK0oiyW-5Oqx181vSeu39q4I-gvvc-ovw3LOlDnW2WkYUMPtTUgCkmm8/s320/IMG_0399.JPG" width="320" /></a>We started the movie, but I was having so many contractions, and they were getting closer together and more painful, so I had a hard time concentrating. I called my mom and asked her if we could just bring Derrick out. She asked if I wanted to wait and just bring all three kids when they got out of school. I told her I would rather just have Brett bring Derrick then because I did not want to stress over him if my water broke or something like that. So at 11:30 Brett picked up Derrick and headed to AF to take him to my parent's. I had also asked him to vacuum out the car. Right after he left, my contractions started getting harder, and closer together. I got a little worried. I called my neighbor to see if she would come over til Brett got home, but she was out. I called the midwives and told them I felt like I should come back in. They asked if things had changed much, and said they were there, so to come in whenever I was ready. I told them I was waiting for my husband to get back, but to plan on me in half an hour. Then I called Wendi and asked if I could have her on the phone just in case something happened, I did not want to be alone.<br />
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Brett got home, and I got in the van, and we started to head over. At this point the contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute 40 seconds. And they hurt. Bad. I had to mentally talk myself through them, reminding myself that the pain just meant that the baby was that much closer to coming. I had one huge contraction just as we were leaving, and had to have Brett stop driving because I was unable to finish buckling my seat belt. I had one on the way, and one as soon as we got there, and the place is only five minutes away or so.<br />
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Right when we got there my dad called to see how I was, and I was in so much pain I could not talk. he was worried that I was alone, so he called Brett to make sure he was with me. I tried to get out of the car and walk into the birthing center, but had a contraction a few steps away from the car. I had to lean on Brett to keep from falling over, and was doing my breathing that I had been practicing. One of the student midwives came out to see if I was okay, and told us to come over to the birthing side of the facility.<br />
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They lead me into an exam room, and the main midwife came in to check me. I had a contraction right then, so she pushed on my legs and tried to help me through it, and then hurried and checked me. I was at a 6. I had another contraction right after and it hurt even worse. I asked if I could maybe get in the tub, since it is supposed to be very soothing, and a natural epidural. She said she would run it and get my IV ready, if I wanted to change and use the bathroom. I had Brett help me into the bathroom, and started to change but my contractions were basically on top of each other at that point, so I mostly just tried to get through them.<br />
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I sat down on toilet, and had this horribly painful contraction. I felt like I would never be able to make it to a ten at that rate. So I told Brett I couldn't do it, and wanted to go to the hospital. He reassured me, and then I felt what felt like fire go through me, and I just wanted to push, push, push. I felt my body tear some, and the baby drop from up in my ribs to all the way down. I could feel her head between my legs. I told Brett, "She is coming." At that point we were by ourselves in the bathroom, and I was worried I was going to have her into the toilet, but I was in so much pain I couldn't really verbalize this. Brett later told me that he didn't really believe me because they had just checked me and I was at a six, but he was being supportive, so he just held me, and tried to make me calm. I tried to get up and knocked something off a shelf on accident, and the midwife came in to make sure I was okay. I told her "She is coming" and she reassured me and asked if I could walk across the hall to the birthing room and tub. I said, "No" but she said I could, and so I basically leaned all my weight on Brett and walked the ten steps across the hall. I was miserable. When we got into the bathroom where the tub was being filled, she told me to lift my leg to get in, when I did she could see that the baby was indeed coming, and not just crowning, but her head was a good inch out. She yelled for the other midwife, and had me sit, then said, "Go ahead and push, she is here." She took my hand and had me feel the baby's head, and said, "Push honey, quit holding back, just push." So I did, and out she came. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35m_nkIURfEnsDQgQTynxHyWeIzhBNhH4A9iKAAn9aBQ-kQCM6t4M_kxUuY-swQiiU5ym1MVLbQsDhEqFpcIfRu5zem0OOTtlx-LrJuDY3BJhZQPObj_zZB9xOU92Fs0RnAQrW449_ow/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35m_nkIURfEnsDQgQTynxHyWeIzhBNhH4A9iKAAn9aBQ-kQCM6t4M_kxUuY-swQiiU5ym1MVLbQsDhEqFpcIfRu5zem0OOTtlx-LrJuDY3BJhZQPObj_zZB9xOU92Fs0RnAQrW449_ow/s320/IMG_0023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
She was blue. So they pulled me out of the tub, and had me lay on the bathroom floor. She wasn't breathing, and wasn't making any sound. I was soooo scared. They told me to hold her, talk to her, and just stay calm. They gave her mouth to mouth, and grabbed an oxygen tank and mask. I couldn't help thinking that I had made a mistake and killed my baby because I went with a birthing center not a hospital. But I was wrong to think that, they were very qualified to take care of her, but it was scary. I was wet, cold, and couldn't really see the baby. I was laying on a cold hard floor, and couldn't verbalize what I was thinking. It only took a few minutes to get her breathing, and she pinked up right away, and started crying. Best sound ever! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iVXnoH-nNkwRwmviVTB4uhh5g4U3n7tbFQ20vYiBZFnFXlNnc9F6bISHnOJr2rL0a-bOW52fYyzyqE-67lmbFnm9sY4Q1Nk5IqGKOmpXeqfFtEUw87YB4nXLp5Gqt59l3GLBjiHbP_M/s1600/IMG_5836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iVXnoH-nNkwRwmviVTB4uhh5g4U3n7tbFQ20vYiBZFnFXlNnc9F6bISHnOJr2rL0a-bOW52fYyzyqE-67lmbFnm9sY4Q1Nk5IqGKOmpXeqfFtEUw87YB4nXLp5Gqt59l3GLBjiHbP_M/s320/IMG_5836.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I passed the placenta, and they let Brett cut the cord. And they covered me with a towel and got one for my head. Then they had us move into the room with the bed. It was weird to stand up on my own and move around right after giving birth. They let me just hold her and cuddle her. It was different. We called to tell people know she was here and when they asked about her weight and size we did not know because they hadn't measured yet. After they got me all stitched up and situated they weighed and measured her. She was 8 lbs 8 ounces, 21 inches long, she was born at 1:19pm (about 15 minutes after we arrived at the birthing center), and is totally perfect!<br />
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After that they left us alone to eat, sleep, and enjoy our baby. It was really nice. I had no pain medication at all at this point, and asked for an ice pack and some ibuprofen. Then just enjoyed resting and staring at the baby with Brett.<br />
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We went home around 6:30 that evening, and the kids came over around 7 to see their new sister for a few minutes before they were off to the grandparent's so we could get some rest and recovery time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzYuA2czFQz5X4cvpwz8wRvgth8KpExIsw5PY-zxH51XUsx93Q6ovHf0Q4t4Ojr43GyzqnlfxSFjh9dlE91hYJwknmx1gXg2xs_7xt4U1qTBN_BlZv0a8aPGVxztEcWzs-2SdFFrkhyphenhyphen4/s1600/IMG_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzYuA2czFQz5X4cvpwz8wRvgth8KpExIsw5PY-zxH51XUsx93Q6ovHf0Q4t4Ojr43GyzqnlfxSFjh9dlE91hYJwknmx1gXg2xs_7xt4U1qTBN_BlZv0a8aPGVxztEcWzs-2SdFFrkhyphenhyphen4/s320/IMG_0032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
All in all the experience was great. I felt great after, and found the recovery has been so much better this time around. I will say that going from a 6 to delivered in ten minutes is not something I would wish on others as it hurt really really badly, but I am not sure I could have made it much longer, so I am grateful it was such a quick process. I am also extremely grateful we made it to the birthing center at all. It was a close call. I wish the midwives would have listened to me, and kept me when I had come in four hours earlier. I need to be more insistent when I know. It is my body, and I knew I was in true labor, but I doubted myself, and let them send me home. The result was the antibiotics I was supposed to have taken were still in the hallway when the baby was born, and I barely got there in time. But I can't complain too much because I hate IVs and we did make it, and she is perfect. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtmwN8TG_fxEPL_ROc73wKmL4VwTSv5M9OhdjWtmXlfY6gKKpDGHZIk52DbWpYDXv9ASppCcyXJnGswNHFkUY_Y1aOJJKxcmU6XjFReOgBG0IEU4gto3rxwAymkbxi8Yc_iYApGlUaLY/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtmwN8TG_fxEPL_ROc73wKmL4VwTSv5M9OhdjWtmXlfY6gKKpDGHZIk52DbWpYDXv9ASppCcyXJnGswNHFkUY_Y1aOJJKxcmU6XjFReOgBG0IEU4gto3rxwAymkbxi8Yc_iYApGlUaLY/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few days before I delivered, my cute toes for baby, and my favorite pregnancy snack!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-55442604603638178642012-11-24T14:58:00.000-08:002012-11-24T14:58:29.579-08:00Our last night as 5!Being overdue is no fun, and trying to keep a good mood and be a good mom when you are uncomfortable and in pain is not easy. Brett and I had talked about trying to go on a date, or do something to get out of the house and get my mind off being pregnant still but I kept feeling like we should do something with the kids, not just Brett and I. So we decided to take them bowling.<br />
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I made dinner, and we ate together, and then headed to Miracle Bowl a little while later. We rented shoes and paid for two games. The kids got their balls, and we set everything up. We got bumpers for the kids, and the dinosaur thing that helps the small kids roll the heavy balls a little faster.<br />
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We had a great time. Derrick got a little sick of it after about four frames. He just wasn't as into it, and wanted to play arcade games and get food from the snack bar. But, he was bowling pretty well. Dillan was getting super frustrated because Derrick and Lexi both had better scores than him. Lexi was just having fun. She was trying to bowl like a big kid, and the ball was excruciatingly slow going down the lane, but she had fun! Dillan is such a perfectionist that he had a really hard time, and was not too happy that he had the lowest score in the family. At one point Derrick bowled a strike and I was worried Dillan might lose it. It was a great opportunity to talk to him about being happy for others, and to just have fun. Brett and I are both really competitive as well, so I understood him, but we have been working as a family on just being kind and happy for one another. Love those little teaching moments. <br />
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We decided we probably wouldn't make it to two games because Derrick was done, so we asked if we could get passes to come back for the second game another time, and we took the kids for milkshakes at In and Out!<br />
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It was a really nice way to spend our last night as a family of 5. On the way home the kids reminded us that we hadn't read scriptures that morning (I wasn't feeling well, so I did not get up), so we read them in the car while driving home. We decided to call it Family Out Evening! Little did we know that the next day our family would get a little bigger! <br />
<span id="goog_4432858"></span><span id="goog_4432859"></span><script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-51712201436009646602012-11-24T14:54:00.001-08:002012-11-24T14:54:36.643-08:00Grandma Clawson updateMy sweet Grandma passed away today. She had a hard but wonderful life. She lived longer than two children, which breaks my heart. I can't imagine losing one of my kids, especially as a baby. She raised a large family, cut coupons, made things from scratch, and worked hard to make the grandkids always feel special and welcome. She had diabetes, and struggles with health. And while I know and will remember these things about her, the thing I will remember most is how much fun she was. I shared some memories earlier, but want to share just a few more.<br />
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Lexi took a while to get teeth, and Grandma used to joke that she would leave her dentures to Lexi in her will.<br />
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Dillan visited Grandma once and she did not have her dentures in, Dillan asked her if it was because she did not brush and floss as a kid. She said yes.<br />
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Grandma always plied the grandkids and great grandkids with goodies, and yummy foods. She would cut coupons for treats just so she would have them on hand for the kids. I always loved sitting by her in church because she had Bit O Honey in her purse, and to this day it is a favorite candy of mine.<br />
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She loved sports, and if you wanted to get in a heated conversation with her, you just had to bring up the Jazz, Cougars, or Politics.<br />
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I can't write more right now, so I am just going to share a few photos from last night, and say that I love her, and admire so much about her.<br />
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Grandma meeting baby CC. She woke up to see her, and was so sweet. <br />
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My Grandpa, an amazing man, who works hard, and although rarely shows much emotion, was strong, sweet, loving, and so tender with my Grandma. You could feel the love he had for her like it was a tactile thing. He spoke softly, caressed her hands, checked on her comfort, gave her tender kisses and displayed affection I have never seen before. It was amazing to see so much shared love after so many years. She continuously reminded us not to forget Grandpa and to make sure we take care of him when she can't. I am so proud to be part of that love even in a small way.<br />
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A four generations picture. CC at 2 days old, and Grandma on her last day. Life and death, so very hard to see it in such a clear contrast. It made it easier to have such a sweet baby to love on when I started getting super sad.<br />
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My Grandma, Grandma Clawson, has had poor health for years, but it has really gone down hill this year. A few weeks ago she had a big surgery and has been in and out of the hospital since. Yesterday she took a turn for the worse, and after some hard decisions, they removed her feeding tube. The family all gathered last night to say their final goodbyes. It was a very somber occasion. I am still a hormonal mess from my pregnancy, and I had a hard time keeping it together. She is such a neat lady, and I love her so much. I can't even imagine life without her. </div>
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Here are a few memories and characteristics I love about her:</div>
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I moved into Grandma and Grandpa's house my senior year of high school. And they made me feel so welcome to live there. Grandma would pack me a lunch and snacks every day. She knew how much I loved cucumbers, and always made sure I had plenty. She is the most thoughtful woman. She always makes sure she has the favorite snacks of the grandkids and great grandkids. She would buy Gushers just because she knew I loved them. And, whenever Arby's had their roast beef sandwiches on their 5 for $5 deal (I know this is a long time ago), she would buy a bunch and freeze them, then she would reheat it and have one ready for me when I got home from cross country practice. She always knows how to make everyone feel so special. These are just a few of many examples of how she would take care of everyone. </div>
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Grandma is a great cook. She loves going through recipes, and sharing her "secrets" for making things taste good. She wasn't shy about using the good ingredients, like butter, cream, and sugar! She has always been such a great example to me of using what you have and making things great. She has always been amazing at using her produce and growing an amazing garden, canning, and preserving foods for use later. She exemplified the adage, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." She was a homemaker, cook, and so much more! </div>
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Grandma can be described as plucky! She is opinionated, and funny, and has a generous heart. One of my favorite memories is of her rewatching BYU football games, and being just as into them as if they were live. She hasn't slept well in years, and would often stay up in her chair and watch television at night. She would watch games from the eighties, the good years, and on several occasions woke me up by screaming at the refs on the television when they made a bad call. I love it! We watched the 2001 World Series together, and that was one of my favorite things. My friends knew not to call if the games were on. I am a Yankees fan now, because of Brett, but back then Randy Johnson and the Diamond Backs were my #1 team, and Grandma loved them because Mike and DeAnne are from AZ. We had so much fun. </div>
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A couple weeks ago when we went up to visit Grandma in the hospital she kept telling me that she was going to die and get to meet my baby (I was pregnant at the time) before I would get to. I told her that if she did to tell her to come quickly. Grandma said, "No, I am going to tell her to take her time." She is too funny! When we went to visit her last night she was pretty out of it, in a lot of pain, but I brought CC so she could see her because Grandpa kept telling me that she has been asking about her. She woke up briefly, kissed her, told me she was beautiful, and how happy she is for our family. She shared her love for us, and thanked us for being in her life. It was so sweet. When we visited her at her home a week or so ago she told Brett how much she appreciates him, and how much he has meant to her. That she loves him. She gave each of my kids love, and made them feel special. She has a way of doing that. She remembers everyone's birthdays, their favorites, and stories. I don't know how we will all stay up to date on what is going on in the family without Grandma. She kept us all together and informed. </div>
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I am so grateful for the love and example she has set for me. I so glad each of my children got a chance to meet her, and the three oldest got to know her. I wish we lived closer. My Grandpa gave her a blessing and told her she was a daughter of God and could return to him now. It is hard to think about life without her, especially for my sweet Grandpa, but I am so glad we have eternal perspective, and the gospel because I know that last night won't be the last time I get to be with my Grandma. </div>
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This is such a jumble, just like my emotions, but I needed to get some of it out. I am going to miss her so much! </div>
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For example, this morning, Lexi got up early, got herself ready, and was as pleasant as can be. She is not much of a morning person, and LOVES watching television, so I told her she could watch TV while I got the boys ready to go. Instead she asked what she could do to help. She went downstairs and made Dillan's bed for him since he was running late, then she got a sponge and cleaned all the toothpaste off the bathroom sink. She helped me get the pillows off my bed so we could make it, and picked up some flashcards Derrick had thrown on the floor in his room. She was helpful and happy, and it was so refreshing.<br />
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Last night Derrick came in and said, "Mom, it is reading time, put your computer away." It made me smile, so I called the kids in and we read several stories from our Illustrated Grimm's Fairy Tales book. The kids love those stories, and it is always fun to snuggle up on my bed and read. Plus, I find those stories far more enjoyable then the Cartoon ones and Superhero ones we usually read.<br />
<br />
Derrick got in bed with us last night (ugh), and that always means poor sleep for me. I let him know this morning that I was not too happy about him sleeping with us, and he said, "Good thing I am so cute then huh?" Haha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1COkoLuaC4LxF-LXHWpSJi6ljMOXe1RKBBWae_ZOBAHJvO4sPChd3y7iSwadr9p_XD9P9S7cGzu23x-RKJ2tLIr_G_x2x8s8g4vR8k2zxT24eTOdXpbaxu9dzs-VREy_Grx6Myn9ia0/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1COkoLuaC4LxF-LXHWpSJi6ljMOXe1RKBBWae_ZOBAHJvO4sPChd3y7iSwadr9p_XD9P9S7cGzu23x-RKJ2tLIr_G_x2x8s8g4vR8k2zxT24eTOdXpbaxu9dzs-VREy_Grx6Myn9ia0/s320/IMG_2121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is all that is coming to mind this morning, although I am sure Dillan has been wonderful as well. I am so thankful for this time of year when we get so many reminders to count our blessings and show our gratitude. Now I just can't wait for this new little one to join us. Wish me luck! <br />
<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-89729708846778646682012-11-06T15:56:00.000-08:002012-11-06T15:56:56.503-08:00Setting limitsToday has been a challenge with my oh so bright, and oh so emotional 7 year old. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed. This daylight savings thing is great in many ways, but the hardest part for us is that Dillan with too little sleep is Dillan the monster. He is still going to bed at the same time, but his internal clock is waking him up early. <br />
<br />
I have finally come to terms with the fact that I have trained my child to ignore me, to push, and to act out rather than through emotions. Re-training him and myself is SO NOT EASY! I have been reading some great stuff about being a better parent, learning to be more empathetic, not yelling, setting limits rather than using punishments, etc. Woah this stuff is challenging. Almost as challenging as Dillan.<br />
<br />
Today was the perfect test of what I have been learning and trying to put into play. Responding with love and patience when all I want to do is yell. Setting limits and sticking to them. Ugh. Parenting is hard work. This baby can just stay in for as long as she wants, because I need to get a handle on this whole parenting thing first. haha<br />
<br />
Dillan is a very emotional child, and I have been trying to teach him that emotions are okay to experience, but it is how he manages them that is a problem. His go to method is to lash out (which he likely learned from me, awesome) so this means lots of blaming, lots of hitting, lots of yelling. None of which is good. We are trying to change this. This morning he and Lexi had a rough go. They just did not want to get along. He hit her, and that was a limit that we set, so he lost the privilege of friends and electronics today. We are going on over an hour of crying, and my patience is wearing thin. So I came in my room to reread an article I felt was useful. <a href="http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/10_Secrets_Every_Parent_Needs_to_Know_about_Saying_No/">Here</a> it is. And give myself a timeout so that I do not break my own rule and yell.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck! <br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
So now what? No baby yet...<br />
<br />
I have been having a hard time thinking of anything but having this baby. I am huge. I am uncomfortable. I am ready to be done with this pregnancy. I look forward to sleepless nights because of a baby, not because I have to get up to use the bathroom a million times, and can't fall back to sleep for hours. I look forward to the healing, and pain, because it means I am that much closer to being back to "normal" whatever that is. I just want to meet this little angel, and share her with my family.<br />
<br />
But, I also know that things will never be the same in our home again. The dynamics will change, the priorities will shift. The time will be divided differently, and it will not be just the five of us, because there will be six. And so, to answer my "now what?" question, I say, enjoy...<br />
<br />
Enjoy the kids I have right now.<br />
Enjoy being pregnant and all the crap that comes with it.<br />
Enjoy snuggling with Derrick and reading stories.<br />
Enjoy doing homework with Lexi and Dillan.<br />
Enjoy laundry, because there will be so much more soon.<br />
Enjoy what I can.<br />
<br />
As I try to make this my focus, and really get some good one-on-one time with each of my three children before number four arrives, I have to constantly remind myself that it is okay that the kitchen floor needs to be mopped, or there are so many other things that need doing. I have to recite this little poem to myself and learn to be okay with imperfect, because imperfect is perfect!<br />
<br />
Some houses try to hide the fact that children there.<br />
Ours boasts of it quite openly, the signs are everywhere.<br />
There are smears on the windows, little handprints on the door<br />
I should apologize, I guess, for the toys all over the floor.<br />
But I sat down with the children, and we played, and laughed, and read<br />
So though the windows do not shine, their eyes will shine instead<br />
For when at times I'm forced to choose the one job or the other<br />
I want to be a housewife, but first I'll be a Mother. <br />
<br />
<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-88441508695652208092012-10-17T09:36:00.001-07:002012-10-17T09:37:06.176-07:00More freezer mealsIn preparation for the baby coming in just over a month I made another batch of freezer meals. I started out my evaluating what my family is enjoying these days, and then did an inventory of what I already had in the freezer. I made a 3 month meal plan calendar, and determined what I needed to make to simplify dinners through the end of the year. Then I went to work. I started out by making a list of needed ingredients. Then I eliminated the things I already had on hand. Then I went shopping. It took me an hour and half, but I got all the things I needed, and surprisingly cheap! My total was just under $200. Had I eliminated flank steak from the menu, the total would have been far less, as at about $6.50 a pound, it is not a cheap dinner option, but we love it, and I had seen some new rubs and marinade recipes I wanted to try, so about $50 of my $200 was used to purchase flank steak. This meant I would have roughly 40-60 meals for my family. Combined with the meals I still have in my freezer, it would be enough to get us to the end of December.<br />
<br />
So what's on the menu?<br />
Lasagna- Alfredo chicken as well as traditional <br />
Spaghetti and meatballs<br />
3 varieties of flank steak served with twice baked potatoes<br />
Cranberry pork tenderloin<br />
Shepherd's pie<br />
Breakfast burriots<br />
BBQ chicken burritos<br />
Mexican casserole<br />
Jambalya<br />
And the items I already had made in my freezer from the last couple rounds of freezer meals, namely asian themed chicken dishes (sweet and sour, orange, and lemon), a couple pot roasts, enchiladas, and pork chops.<br />
<br />
I broke this batch of meals into 2 days. I started in the evening on Monday and made about 18 meals. Mostly the simple ones that do not take a lot of prep work, like the marinades, rubs, etc. Then the next day I made the lasagnas and burritos, which are more labor intensive. Then later that night, I finished the jambalya, etc. I would say it took me about twelve hours total.<br />
<br />
Here are the recipes, as well as some of my comments on how they have turned out thus far:<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meatballs</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ingredients:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 lb. lean ground beef</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 egg</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Tbsp. water</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2 cup bread crumbs</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4 cup minced onion</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2 tsp. salt</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/8 tsp. pepper</span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preparation:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preheat
oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine egg, water, bread crumbs, onion,
salt and pepper and combine. Add ground beef, broken into chunks, and mush with
your hands to combine. Form into meatballs about 1" in diameter and place
on a broiler pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until meatballs are no
longer pink in center. Cool and freeze, or when baked, use in your favorite
recipe. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">My kids love meatballs in spaghetti, and while we do not eat pasta often, I have been wanting it more lately, so this is a fast and fun way to make the meal more interesting. I also whipped up a batch of sauce, but I just kind of do it by taste so I do not have a recipe for it. Prego always works well. </span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Flank Steak</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rub 1:<span style="color: blue;"> This is the rub I usually use, and it is YUM!</span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 teaspoon paprika</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 teaspoon dry oregano</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 teaspoon sugar</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">25 grinds fresh black pepper</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3 tablespoons vegetable oil</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">marinade
2: <span style="color: blue;">I haven't tried the finished product yet, but will update when I do. Looked really good though! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>¼ c. balsamic vinegar </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 T. Worcestershire sauce </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 tsp. dark brown sugar </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 garlic clove, minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Marinade 3:<span style="color: blue;"> I love a good asian themed meal, but I have yet to cook this particular one, so I will update when we try it. Smelled awesome though!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1/2
C rice vinegar<br />
1/2 C oyster sauce<br />
1 2/3 C soy sauce<br />
3/4 C mirin<br />
3
T garlic puree<br />
4
T ginger puree<br />
2
T honey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cranberry Pork
Tenderloin<span style="color: blue;"> We haven't tried this one yet</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 can of whole cranberry sauce (not jellied)<br />
1 package of onion soup mix<br />
1 (3-4lb) raw pork tenderloin (or pork roast)<br />
2 Tbs Dijon mustard </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">
<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shepherd's Pie</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1lb lean ground beef- browned</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 medium onion, chopped- sauteed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 cloves garlic, chopped- sauteed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/4 cup flour</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/4 cup heavy cream</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 Tbs butter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 cups frozen mixed veggies (I used 1/2 cup green beans, 1/2
peas, 1/2 cup carrots, and 1/2 cup corn)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 can of cream of mushroom</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Salt and pepper to taste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 cups of mashed potatoes (seasoned with butter and
salt/pepper to taste)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;"> When I made this one, I basically cooked the meat and the onions and garlic. Then I added the cream and butter, and cream of mushroom soup, then took it off the heat, and stirred in a bag of mixed frozen veggies. I think the more veggies the better. I really enjoyed this one when we prepared it. My kids were less than thrilled because they like their aunt's version which is basically hamburger, potatoes, and cheese. But they said it was yummy, just not what they expected. This made a lot, so it actually served us two meals, and my lunch a couple days later. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">
<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Burritos- Breakfast
and BBQ chicken</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Burrito sized flour tortillas- 2 packages</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black beans</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frozen corn</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BBQ shredded chicken</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheese</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Onion (optional)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peppers (optional)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
24 eggs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 cup spinach</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18 slices of bacon fully cooked and cooled</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8 cups of hashbrowns</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
shredded cheese</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
burrito sized flour tortillas </div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">For these I prepared everything, and put it in separate bowls, then assembled, froze, and bagged according to how many my family would eat at a meal. I made the blackbeans from dry, in my crockpot, and cooked and shredded the chicken, then topped with a homemade BBQ recipe that my family loves, but any BBQ would work. The corn was frozen, the cheese a mexican blend. When I cooked the eggs for the breakfast version I chopped up a bunch of spinach and added it in to make them healthier, but you can't even taste it. These have been my favorite thing in the freezer. From frozen I just pop them on a cookie sheet for 30 mins at 350, and they come out crispy on the outside, delicious on the inside. My kids love breakfast food, but not me so much, so I just make a few of each when we have had this for dinner, and all are happy. While labor intensive, I think I got about 50 burritos of each, which resulted in about 20 dinners covered, or lunches, or after school snacks. I did make a few smaller ones in taco size flour tortillas so that when they were used for snacks they would be the right size. What a hit!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Mexican Casserole-</span> For this I basically used all the leftovers from the BBQ chicken burritos (I ran out of tortillas), added a can of rotel, mixed in some spices, and put in a casserole dish, topped with cheese. I made these in smaller container so they would work for lunches when it is just me at home! I have prepared one dish so far, and it was pretty tasty. I topped it with fresh avocado!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jambalya</b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">1/2
cup butter<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/oven-baked-jambalaya/"><span class="itxtrstitxtrstspanitxthookspan"><span style="color: darkgreen; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">1
large onion, diced</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">1
large green bell pepper, chopped</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">4
stalks celery, chopped</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">4
cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">1
(6 ounce) can tomatoe paste</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">3
bay leaves</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">3
tablespoons Creole seasoning blend </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">4
teaspoons Worcestershire sauce</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">2
(28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">7
cups chicken stock</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">3
cups chopped cooked ham</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">3
cups cooked Keilbasa sausage, sliced</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">3
cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">3
cups frozen cooked shrimp</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;">4
cups uncooked long-grain white rice</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
Directions</h3>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="plaincharacterwrapbreak"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Melt butter in large stock pot. Saute
onion, green pepper, celery and garlic until tender, being careful not to
burn the garlic. Add tomato paste and cook to brown slightly, stirring
constantly. Stir in bay leaves, Creole seasoning blend and Worcestershire
sauce. Pour into a large roasting pan. Add in tomatoes, chicken
stock, ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp and rice. Mix well. Cover tightly
with aluminum foil. Freeze</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="plaincharacterwrapbreak"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 1 1/2 hours,
stirring once halfway through baking time. Remove bay leaves before
serving. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"> </span> <span style="color: blue;">For this one I left out the ham and chicken, and forgot to buy Creole seasoning, so I just made up my own seasoning with spices I had on hand. </span>It looks yummy but we haven't made it yet.<br />
<br />
Lasagna<br />
I basically just make these up. I shredded chicken, mixed in broccoli, and used alfredo sauce, cottage cheese, and ricotta. For the other one I sauteed zuchinni and carrots, browned ground beef with some garlic and seasonings, and used prego, ricotta and cottage cheese. I made both roll ups and pan lasagna. We used two of them last night for my brother's mission homecoming, and they were really tasty.<br />
<br />
Pictures to come! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Every year we spend a day together at Cornbelly's having a blast. It is something my kids look forward to all year long. It is probably their favorite thing we do. Traditions are so much fun! This one in particular. There are so many activities, from duck racing, to the actual corn maze (which we totally got lost in and were in FOREVER), bouncy houses, and oh so much more! The kids think it is the best, and I enjoy it as well. This year, my belly got in the way some, but I took a neighbor along so that there would be plenty of fun all around, and I could skip the bouncy stuff. Derrick kept wanting me to carry him, and I told him, "I am already carrying CC" Then he started saying, "CC, get out of my mom's belly right now so she can carry me." Haha, 7 more weeks. Hopefully he isn't too jealous when she actually comes!<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEVdORAE4SDzAN7xukLCtsAOFjZWqxI_tJ0HQiIqtc3_W9hS9gslcvQFYxprtefoKTZH4DrHPBl_tNatXr4WbXfipSVEMDaqYeDm83Pd0-9rvTVEp1yh3zYGpyJRvAWWT_iMmYHtR7to/s320/IMG_5739.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids and I at our date night at Cornbelly's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYRdl9CjfItd12KLPWcxwR7lS9Ly8yU5V8OfIqXSvJyA-JEbwys8tIjZoDvCbKhir9ejoaqeZh_PK3RnRTKb0gss5HbExOszgCpUCgJ4-e_2yp2Ol4XgPn7teWBgcqXgUxjQCLkzJToU/s1600/IMG_5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYRdl9CjfItd12KLPWcxwR7lS9Ly8yU5V8OfIqXSvJyA-JEbwys8tIjZoDvCbKhir9ejoaqeZh_PK3RnRTKb0gss5HbExOszgCpUCgJ4-e_2yp2Ol4XgPn7teWBgcqXgUxjQCLkzJToU/s320/IMG_5724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider web</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-A6DQfL71kmQJj86RSoaELimCDbhaZ2vt5UWkIbLRCfNLRbkEtmfuIXIv6-47kVrUNV7TQZzdMFYP1tvCKmxpL-RgDWoofRS-vLt4x_uWwtAXuFGcaugLeDSxCSs9ucAnZ-QrWEQzMI/s1600/IMG_5725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-A6DQfL71kmQJj86RSoaELimCDbhaZ2vt5UWkIbLRCfNLRbkEtmfuIXIv6-47kVrUNV7TQZzdMFYP1tvCKmxpL-RgDWoofRS-vLt4x_uWwtAXuFGcaugLeDSxCSs9ucAnZ-QrWEQzMI/s320/IMG_5725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lexi wanted to get on the spiderweb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mx0s2e2sObOshreJJj7q0l42WTLdUxOWaM_hYWtyYmmNxukPxbEejjgRHfxmsHgq-TglBR5sjwbqyF8pvRxvW7CBpnHrJ5UPDiev6vvUxqhKfqQJXVEUboY8kyEt5Ak7-mWXXxWX_Gc/s1600/IMG_5727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mx0s2e2sObOshreJJj7q0l42WTLdUxOWaM_hYWtyYmmNxukPxbEejjgRHfxmsHgq-TglBR5sjwbqyF8pvRxvW7CBpnHrJ5UPDiev6vvUxqhKfqQJXVEUboY8kyEt5Ak7-mWXXxWX_Gc/s320/IMG_5727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiderman!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2jViDU3uX12b4sJulehhtwQFFf_JC7X0lIZRzuxZky00obaOOOyH-vbNQmnGSZdeUNZWg7aLPpvL5adNjyz9-qnaXYuaWTIZnbPDm0PKE67-snGPCWzRf6fuqzliCy1UjxYPmNegkKI/s1600/IMG_5728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2jViDU3uX12b4sJulehhtwQFFf_JC7X0lIZRzuxZky00obaOOOyH-vbNQmnGSZdeUNZWg7aLPpvL5adNjyz9-qnaXYuaWTIZnbPDm0PKE67-snGPCWzRf6fuqzliCy1UjxYPmNegkKI/s320/IMG_5728.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at my map!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0LZ4zTGl0RKuOY3gw3Q0c5BKhbsANiXGLJAcOUAuy8jQ3g725glLHRor9CGfX9em7e8BVLHkm9q_GtTKbM-IZ3lbwLotPB_s3L5WxJekcE7fCJyN_spDr3n6OCO2IfzB_TtwNWxymYo/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0LZ4zTGl0RKuOY3gw3Q0c5BKhbsANiXGLJAcOUAuy8jQ3g725glLHRor9CGfX9em7e8BVLHkm9q_GtTKbM-IZ3lbwLotPB_s3L5WxJekcE7fCJyN_spDr3n6OCO2IfzB_TtwNWxymYo/s320/IMG_5729.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrqmyulvT6ECs56gYiOSxs5u210dRemdUifM5cnKDuSbmgsUxJpRgwGWOFgsV7O0dLE9eEjvAVhJ0BZZ6skxdKZPUtN13gsZI3h0JvbVfGwTpyK2C7es8PUH1GU6A_xrjlN_3odSb6BA/s1600/IMG_5730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrqmyulvT6ECs56gYiOSxs5u210dRemdUifM5cnKDuSbmgsUxJpRgwGWOFgsV7O0dLE9eEjvAVhJ0BZZ6skxdKZPUtN13gsZI3h0JvbVfGwTpyK2C7es8PUH1GU6A_xrjlN_3odSb6BA/s320/IMG_5730.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cast crew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGXmB2oLbd96AZxlnwFKjzPuRMtUwLEBZ2QeXmW_lSfzYSYqHdJgwBDIF8mNfuijzqkaGduU5ZIJs1oaO4tfqWeBDn5icbqF78q0VEVNxopJhUmMsZKuRicwo4tt32DNrmIkYVNfc9JA/s1600/IMG_5731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGXmB2oLbd96AZxlnwFKjzPuRMtUwLEBZ2QeXmW_lSfzYSYqHdJgwBDIF8mNfuijzqkaGduU5ZIJs1oaO4tfqWeBDn5icbqF78q0VEVNxopJhUmMsZKuRicwo4tt32DNrmIkYVNfc9JA/s320/IMG_5731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slide races!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwRCFj9ZVWxy01sqaeS1M79rOOclwBAEkEM9crlhxeyxvQQnmInjysvD2STn96lOyNudEIUOV970VqsmQeF4i1ID-N64yPj-ai7sh2NDXX0D5q8YqjdZ9EmLQ2mkuUS0Gob6Dc_MRRGs/s1600/IMG_5732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwRCFj9ZVWxy01sqaeS1M79rOOclwBAEkEM9crlhxeyxvQQnmInjysvD2STn96lOyNudEIUOV970VqsmQeF4i1ID-N64yPj-ai7sh2NDXX0D5q8YqjdZ9EmLQ2mkuUS0Gob6Dc_MRRGs/s320/IMG_5732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready, set,...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVt3FgzDkE704hGWUumBnziEdJRwyJbFsya-chZ-ygik7bpZ8q3Ue2Cw9gbd5IeiR8-cecI55BR4jcfda0idOW1WmxGXuFlpNhM6_iHJIWNOQxETsheI4_YcHdgUcCdyt2kyAc_vXAG8/s1600/IMG_5733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVt3FgzDkE704hGWUumBnziEdJRwyJbFsya-chZ-ygik7bpZ8q3Ue2Cw9gbd5IeiR8-cecI55BR4jcfda0idOW1WmxGXuFlpNhM6_iHJIWNOQxETsheI4_YcHdgUcCdyt2kyAc_vXAG8/s320/IMG_5733.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">go...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyVzlRDpl006y2Gh_mOaytBGXEMLi5C0HneVKHmD_1bg0PY4YhhHmcPT_LY5XNF8vYWQNXzXlINZZXfUg3WCOUDdaITqOVBj2hi-FXdcx92lMlx1h-PhyphenhyphenRil5MY65xtLioYFYR7fTrto/s1600/IMG_5734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyVzlRDpl006y2Gh_mOaytBGXEMLi5C0HneVKHmD_1bg0PY4YhhHmcPT_LY5XNF8vYWQNXzXlINZZXfUg3WCOUDdaITqOVBj2hi-FXdcx92lMlx1h-PhyphenhyphenRil5MY65xtLioYFYR7fTrto/s320/IMG_5734.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going again on the big slide...so much fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkxgqdlYP77UeHprlk_Nl6MxmNnXI9seUW1RUYVR9RGYr_RdgIo8RKrwdweFNLvQAkEUAZY4AKDtyKsODH9BWyqMQY4e36191hRDf8hMc9j1uUfC-btIGxlNEqZa7yDMm2aVCwtvt7t4/s1600/IMG_5735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkxgqdlYP77UeHprlk_Nl6MxmNnXI9seUW1RUYVR9RGYr_RdgIo8RKrwdweFNLvQAkEUAZY4AKDtyKsODH9BWyqMQY4e36191hRDf8hMc9j1uUfC-btIGxlNEqZa7yDMm2aVCwtvt7t4/s320/IMG_5735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my girl(s)!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2NxmrT6btLvgwrthbRwYvQmzrt6H5LYF08PVtETweZZX-rDdSBH1jNLNd-LaBLD_urncPOETDzNPMSDd7QDnYnnEHKA_7meVlpuUdV7E3g1tLu-Iv-gTryfZr0BEJDoLvG4PnopoZfM/s1600/IMG_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2NxmrT6btLvgwrthbRwYvQmzrt6H5LYF08PVtETweZZX-rDdSBH1jNLNd-LaBLD_urncPOETDzNPMSDd7QDnYnnEHKA_7meVlpuUdV7E3g1tLu-Iv-gTryfZr0BEJDoLvG4PnopoZfM/s320/IMG_5736.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaycie posing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XJ7GL-y7pr6abRkdAX8Y7XepWrO82tPmdJGRXwAkHDK0VnuZxYTrBRTQkgDLXUNaBoBhgram3NtGA1jvTCBSTv-o66ZNG5ADnBr8Bt42ZthAtIa46uis_pwJp7AnepWhJfd7f28O2_I/s1600/IMG_5738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XJ7GL-y7pr6abRkdAX8Y7XepWrO82tPmdJGRXwAkHDK0VnuZxYTrBRTQkgDLXUNaBoBhgram3NtGA1jvTCBSTv-o66ZNG5ADnBr8Bt42ZthAtIa46uis_pwJp7AnepWhJfd7f28O2_I/s320/IMG_5738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute kids!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN2GcsuFuPuTkEwJKUBAuT1CV8kvyZGvgW-6ppjgjGujstiiP7hyQq4o2GBlI3f7QO0JlUye2aFo3vLpxEQzTI-QkAE-oc_VzR4Dde1FqKUwq7q76FLwwxJt7Y6pL7imwe_JhXtt0zyg/s1600/IMG_5706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN2GcsuFuPuTkEwJKUBAuT1CV8kvyZGvgW-6ppjgjGujstiiP7hyQq4o2GBlI3f7QO0JlUye2aFo3vLpxEQzTI-QkAE-oc_VzR4Dde1FqKUwq7q76FLwwxJt7Y6pL7imwe_JhXtt0zyg/s320/IMG_5706.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All 7 kids on the giant chair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChQk6eFyKFinTcRe0YQlzxsUx-CmIgkQbAQoQQH0Twj-B1Y3GIO2m5CrwGWTB-ptRSj-ybtu8ATxpyPPpuQs4KDY9TTx4jANwgAQzVVVxJ9TY2JgY9MUue5Pwj446K1sJhf9ycu7Zl-Y/s1600/IMG_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChQk6eFyKFinTcRe0YQlzxsUx-CmIgkQbAQoQQH0Twj-B1Y3GIO2m5CrwGWTB-ptRSj-ybtu8ATxpyPPpuQs4KDY9TTx4jANwgAQzVVVxJ9TY2JgY9MUue5Pwj446K1sJhf9ycu7Zl-Y/s320/IMG_5707.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girl on top of the hay pyramid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWqKUyF2GSni8fbLHLRQh4-E9pwxAA68N60ZzQN9N3u0nasJCI963FUJf4dBp3FTXTEUWqUGc-_gAOlm0Ro5hmqi0i9O0yB4bf-PFwodDVmV0ER6ECsKfAh-b5OQ5xt2rr13N9VgSH38/s1600/IMG_5708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWqKUyF2GSni8fbLHLRQh4-E9pwxAA68N60ZzQN9N3u0nasJCI963FUJf4dBp3FTXTEUWqUGc-_gAOlm0Ro5hmqi0i9O0yB4bf-PFwodDVmV0ER6ECsKfAh-b5OQ5xt2rr13N9VgSH38/s320/IMG_5708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cuties on top of hay pyramid</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT_Vwu4w6x5O51GSbKHKIDkbvAohZ83UcmTxBuvFAwPnAkjOiwD2yYWf7RxTu0BZ0Oi17z52trqHKaH1JuVvBXXI_PUu7xqjooo8WMmmNthvcpdB8iE-YyIIItZ_u0eM6Joec24bxYOA/s1600/IMG_5709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT_Vwu4w6x5O51GSbKHKIDkbvAohZ83UcmTxBuvFAwPnAkjOiwD2yYWf7RxTu0BZ0Oi17z52trqHKaH1JuVvBXXI_PUu7xqjooo8WMmmNthvcpdB8iE-YyIIItZ_u0eM6Joec24bxYOA/s320/IMG_5709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roping cows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MkSN2Gf7Hw9BtqoM0oylRjUNiCCps7eESrp2wC4Ka1NVm3uEReAyczqFq6yNEbzods2f064j3cWcKdm0zoI7PfVziXyEnltYTI_AJzUE59xExHUbexGr1Tc02HmhAayJpFEh3u7nfm0/s1600/IMG_5712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MkSN2Gf7Hw9BtqoM0oylRjUNiCCps7eESrp2wC4Ka1NVm3uEReAyczqFq6yNEbzods2f064j3cWcKdm0zoI7PfVziXyEnltYTI_AJzUE59xExHUbexGr1Tc02HmhAayJpFEh3u7nfm0/s320/IMG_5712.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She tried so hard, the only thing she managed to hit was her brother in the face. whoops</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaycie roaping cows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7wbeQd1uoakUV1wvLVZe4YuStVhZY-UbWqspqVYf7ARjlGUO8boDqr6W2tBeQlj-c0CS3A1soezEI4VQslPeIaGpx7aBHzMkLA9ZvEwKBipdri_Bj_mMUXuM6LNcZUFRLLaUoESqSiY/s1600/IMG_5716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7wbeQd1uoakUV1wvLVZe4YuStVhZY-UbWqspqVYf7ARjlGUO8boDqr6W2tBeQlj-c0CS3A1soezEI4VQslPeIaGpx7aBHzMkLA9ZvEwKBipdri_Bj_mMUXuM6LNcZUFRLLaUoESqSiY/s320/IMG_5716.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys dancing along with the singing animals</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JNOHCAjO3dq8e4CGOgq459R8j7ynpwUsG0PgXZKz_ICorFzJy99lMHOvzfF2geeu_WMfrGahb19lHRzHqAZC49KULoWVKz9-M_6OahPG6szPJAi25qoCZZe20CfaIG9pjbFhN0DYPgU/s1600/IMG_5717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JNOHCAjO3dq8e4CGOgq459R8j7ynpwUsG0PgXZKz_ICorFzJy99lMHOvzfF2geeu_WMfrGahb19lHRzHqAZC49KULoWVKz9-M_6OahPG6szPJAi25qoCZZe20CfaIG9pjbFhN0DYPgU/s320/IMG_5717.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids watching the singing animal show</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhaqzljpEthcwkir9t8DmNkF3_Z8V_i4O2SroNRqBlJ9vFr8yNK8L0zWPQUCKz0iQWQlMmzCHpHekBjCVtA24HhtqbzCMLjQRZVwQLz_GaPdsbUFc0PFTu1HrUXfBt5QKROyQ_4nFQ5k/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhaqzljpEthcwkir9t8DmNkF3_Z8V_i4O2SroNRqBlJ9vFr8yNK8L0zWPQUCKz0iQWQlMmzCHpHekBjCVtA24HhtqbzCMLjQRZVwQLz_GaPdsbUFc0PFTu1HrUXfBt5QKROyQ_4nFQ5k/s320/IMG_5719.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQJ29QjxTR-730C2R3P_lOHHoLMXfBHzHftKh6xd0F-9Wqhc9T8keJJh1MtxRyjN1k8NEFyGVGR8_eSjzfQ4XjEuy4vEnGgx2cD7fL0JuDcViFjQNL-InFCwdPoJEZ6nfMi077RXcdFs/s1600/IMG_5723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQJ29QjxTR-730C2R3P_lOHHoLMXfBHzHftKh6xd0F-9Wqhc9T8keJJh1MtxRyjN1k8NEFyGVGR8_eSjzfQ4XjEuy4vEnGgx2cD7fL0JuDcViFjQNL-InFCwdPoJEZ6nfMi077RXcdFs/s320/IMG_5723.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many fun things to play on</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD353P1X7bv4yad8UcK064Fj6aLAAzciw5k4kdszGJHYzmNInc39nZ_nvdKiz8ZPh4xJaIrMOKGv8FejJBOxV_BGmBmCl9CuMeFzHXZ5AMFzjteNtmImCyjGocFmy9H7BWH3u-OOO6Hs/s1600/IMG_5698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD353P1X7bv4yad8UcK064Fj6aLAAzciw5k4kdszGJHYzmNInc39nZ_nvdKiz8ZPh4xJaIrMOKGv8FejJBOxV_BGmBmCl9CuMeFzHXZ5AMFzjteNtmImCyjGocFmy9H7BWH3u-OOO6Hs/s320/IMG_5698.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids being corn on the cob!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNbsb_03bZ4cLJit76uLdy_wTORcYsnmV60n7_pyr05N_inQkhRSmDbQlVZKmm-Jd6Q-sbqlqBh7_A4TvmV4CJHoGSmbdRyBMgXu0wwd2Lim2KWTUnzCbHxDV_HqWdYtksUNln2Oo0Uo/s1600/IMG_5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNbsb_03bZ4cLJit76uLdy_wTORcYsnmV60n7_pyr05N_inQkhRSmDbQlVZKmm-Jd6Q-sbqlqBh7_A4TvmV4CJHoGSmbdRyBMgXu0wwd2Lim2KWTUnzCbHxDV_HqWdYtksUNln2Oo0Uo/s320/IMG_5692.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the kids on a tractor! 7 Total!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN14ViUE3mTowUHZ4ObULP6K3mJUY48rfZyzC9P8l0cTcPBdmegWU4hRkRGPDFT4bxoWgX5kcdFTX4vFGGdOqN-OFUYaKmVlpgtMNiBa8DV6hcRdn2TPSmdIzzPLtAnJSMw_2umvcEJY/s1600/IMG_5690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN14ViUE3mTowUHZ4ObULP6K3mJUY48rfZyzC9P8l0cTcPBdmegWU4hRkRGPDFT4bxoWgX5kcdFTX4vFGGdOqN-OFUYaKmVlpgtMNiBa8DV6hcRdn2TPSmdIzzPLtAnJSMw_2umvcEJY/s320/IMG_5690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing down the slides</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2C0TXP1wZ_ga67yQdI1z9PgsvwO65ZZfM-tM2hyphenhyphennDI8rhTh0p_G1-I4V6x8SjJKfU0ydRC5yPmocOrUmrCo4RMTw2KSdazi66_c6_09-NJS8WXvdE8e4wzNQad5WNjkr65KTmr53jOw/s1600/IMG_5685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2C0TXP1wZ_ga67yQdI1z9PgsvwO65ZZfM-tM2hyphenhyphennDI8rhTh0p_G1-I4V6x8SjJKfU0ydRC5yPmocOrUmrCo4RMTw2KSdazi66_c6_09-NJS8WXvdE8e4wzNQad5WNjkr65KTmr53jOw/s320/IMG_5685.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun on the jumping pillows</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4iAjkRP-JDNnsz-VZqfkxM6tMSwzIvOuTullOck5TAVcFfYnuEvbNCobUvbc-8D1NABIRnz3s6CN5NLdIQko46LGQCP-P0bhogXdBPe1s_r9e04zWAurkoomtup7W1lpFEId2sd55GQ/s1600/IMG_5682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4iAjkRP-JDNnsz-VZqfkxM6tMSwzIvOuTullOck5TAVcFfYnuEvbNCobUvbc-8D1NABIRnz3s6CN5NLdIQko46LGQCP-P0bhogXdBPe1s_r9e04zWAurkoomtup7W1lpFEId2sd55GQ/s320/IMG_5682.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dillan thought this was fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SZoMG6W_PUq2iBcPWS0OstLl5rQbRLJV1l4UJib-KDyXPDXs1Nbm4Uk4g5rlWXuGnxZeWMWv3h1NiGYVTUrt0-gM94kOd6AnZM7W9-qoUWYnlHPSFQYktQ3TMpspLwHSb2IE_sL8HvI/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SZoMG6W_PUq2iBcPWS0OstLl5rQbRLJV1l4UJib-KDyXPDXs1Nbm4Uk4g5rlWXuGnxZeWMWv3h1NiGYVTUrt0-gM94kOd6AnZM7W9-qoUWYnlHPSFQYktQ3TMpspLwHSb2IE_sL8HvI/s320/IMG_5681.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaycie had real trouble staying on her horse. She blames it on her cast. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdjsZvRMDdreAH91ehx_3oCw2G1xbMmbAIbl7K9JyjxhgSi3XYl6M8NHUf2WGGTUhUapWZ77Az0azCZRyq6mYh6cHP0iTUOeFYNSZsfGLYtbmvcxwby2vEsurczLuUS70WvaPylf2IhM/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdjsZvRMDdreAH91ehx_3oCw2G1xbMmbAIbl7K9JyjxhgSi3XYl6M8NHUf2WGGTUhUapWZ77Az0azCZRyq6mYh6cHP0iTUOeFYNSZsfGLYtbmvcxwby2vEsurczLuUS70WvaPylf2IhM/s320/IMG_5679.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDODdg5Hf9Jw0s-Lix4n5n5TC2zamwLR6iMgdETiJch6EPAR8vC5fPXI8OBm4eD2iyFFAjPAaatgD-BDpFaTwLWD6n6tkBb7efPJFtytcl1e4wGa0XWCYw_nMISiUFsDMwRBSBndqvNo/s1600/IMG_5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDODdg5Hf9Jw0s-Lix4n5n5TC2zamwLR6iMgdETiJch6EPAR8vC5fPXI8OBm4eD2iyFFAjPAaatgD-BDpFaTwLWD6n6tkBb7efPJFtytcl1e4wGa0XWCYw_nMISiUFsDMwRBSBndqvNo/s320/IMG_5677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blow up horse races</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc99gI-Vucq21KGglro7ixkO3uCaMyNG7iVkASNrfIEveu5cgT4tF4LI-l_dNBMqkpg6toJLk-yAkAs0jFaLJufUyMgXc8nveRRbUbQmkLit6P1rrb1H2YygX-mDqQ3E6qDqkSdpJyC0/s1600/IMG_5675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc99gI-Vucq21KGglro7ixkO3uCaMyNG7iVkASNrfIEveu5cgT4tF4LI-l_dNBMqkpg6toJLk-yAkAs0jFaLJufUyMgXc8nveRRbUbQmkLit6P1rrb1H2YygX-mDqQ3E6qDqkSdpJyC0/s320/IMG_5675.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lexi tried to hula hoop, blamed the problem on the cast! haha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ClFlsk6_2bGD4OUqV-lsrPjV8Wwh4KIjrdpG3HoHpH_5mC6DSRxdUt9nu5ZXS_dutWqPmTMgn-zMPK0m14DfHbVV_aoJ2akSiNZWNM87r3G9iATYINsZ2JEOWsed7ZkTdHpW6Pk_2_k/s1600/IMG_5673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ClFlsk6_2bGD4OUqV-lsrPjV8Wwh4KIjrdpG3HoHpH_5mC6DSRxdUt9nu5ZXS_dutWqPmTMgn-zMPK0m14DfHbVV_aoJ2akSiNZWNM87r3G9iATYINsZ2JEOWsed7ZkTdHpW6Pk_2_k/s320/IMG_5673.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prize Dillan got for being the best hula hooper</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB6YlzWUUdNsEQQ3g8vKu6Xqa10UHOOPfOvYs0j80HjTqwj3lRpN8Z1fDVU1sEDu6u7Cg_QlyZyw4XoLo8tCslxiNnaiQjUn9n-DNqB9AAujy6cdeGx1q1HqCo3HkqWD7T1GdyWLLQIY/s1600/IMG_5683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB6YlzWUUdNsEQQ3g8vKu6Xqa10UHOOPfOvYs0j80HjTqwj3lRpN8Z1fDVU1sEDu6u7Cg_QlyZyw4XoLo8tCslxiNnaiQjUn9n-DNqB9AAujy6cdeGx1q1HqCo3HkqWD7T1GdyWLLQIY/s320/IMG_5683.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids on the tire horse swings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Toq5iN-cs-jv0yy_9EZIKjmvBdq2uT32RwPhyphenhyphen5bG1-apIeb1SzawSmbhrrQQxGcn6PQKODnr_rIQ9hhZZ2eW5oa1W8uhN_WI3_5K9qkTGarF-AGKpHazGZyy4T6uINVK9WWYis5hJoc/s1600/IMG_5672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Toq5iN-cs-jv0yy_9EZIKjmvBdq2uT32RwPhyphenhyphen5bG1-apIeb1SzawSmbhrrQQxGcn6PQKODnr_rIQ9hhZZ2eW5oa1W8uhN_WI3_5K9qkTGarF-AGKpHazGZyy4T6uINVK9WWYis5hJoc/s320/IMG_5672.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dillan won the Hula hoop contest!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-54302706887130755962012-09-30T17:05:00.000-07:002012-09-30T17:05:42.930-07:00Miss Lexi Mishaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD2rKDcnPx6yuyldC2mBrlaHPODHpTADtPt60pzXgRF5gINnjTcUNPpFnEQsv3hiMv-DLZL4YnaA-T2sTuTgcyMcurKKXoGYYfHPl1gR6YdxmUs5OnxibqSXeYZYw3Up-WDacnrdvIkY/s1600/IMG_5668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD2rKDcnPx6yuyldC2mBrlaHPODHpTADtPt60pzXgRF5gINnjTcUNPpFnEQsv3hiMv-DLZL4YnaA-T2sTuTgcyMcurKKXoGYYfHPl1gR6YdxmUs5OnxibqSXeYZYw3Up-WDacnrdvIkY/s320/IMG_5668.jpg" width="240" /></a>Lexi hurt herself at school on Thursday. She fell off the monkey bars. She told me it hurt, and I told her we would give it a day, and see if it still hurt. She woke up crying that night so we gave her some chidlren's tylenol and she went back to bed. The next morning I asked how her arm felt. She replied that it was fine, no pain. She went to school, etc. When I picked her up, again I asked how it was, and she was happy to report it felt fine. Unfortunately that night, she woke up again crying and complaining her arm hurt. Since it was the middle of the night, and I am not a fan of ER visit costs, I gave her some medicine and told her we would go in the morning. The next morning (Saturday), she said it did not hurt, and she was fine. She played all day and had no complaints. Last night though, for the third night she woke up and crying. It was about 10:30 and most of the instacares or urgent cares in the area close between 9 and 10. So again we decided to wait. Only this time it was slightly swollen. We gave her tylenol again, and wrapped it up with an ice pack. Then had her go back to sleep. </div>
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This morning this woke up happy, and said it didn't hurt, but was favoring it and not doing anything with it. Since I am not fond of these middle of the night wake-ups, we decided to just take her in to be sure it was okay. I had ward council, so I couldn't go, so Brett took her, and Wendi came over to watch the boys, while I was at my meeting. </div>
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The verdict: She had an x-ray (pictured below), and it is NOT broken. It is however sprained. And while she does not necessarily need a splint, the Dr. splinted it in order to help stabilize it and so she would protect it. Often if it is not broken, kids will play on it hard and aggravate it (which is what she had been doing). So he put a hard splint on, and wrapped it, and said she needs to keep it on for three or four days. She is really hating it, as it sort of scratches her arm. and she has picked at it some, so it is not as cleanly wrapped as before. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqY9XNAWh4zB2VxEf_La9wN0PP4GAJwE-1P2tSZWHrkKXkdvAgJi6ER6I4fs8fXPNwJowASsB5f9x-Mtl-ngufRzEEuusDgdiZlcXEgZuGRLHkKZDcYbD6LrdjWd7XKou6FfMa5pzx30/s1600/lexi+x-ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqY9XNAWh4zB2VxEf_La9wN0PP4GAJwE-1P2tSZWHrkKXkdvAgJi6ER6I4fs8fXPNwJowASsB5f9x-Mtl-ngufRzEEuusDgdiZlcXEgZuGRLHkKZDcYbD6LrdjWd7XKou6FfMa5pzx30/s320/lexi+x-ray.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We are going to play at CornBelly's tomorrow, so I told her she has to keep it on until at least Tuesday so she does not hurt it further tomorrow. Apparently it takes just as long for a sprain to heal as a break, and sometimes hurts even worse. Here's hoping she heals quickly. She is not a happy camper when she is in pain. Not that many of us are.</div>
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She has been pretty funny about it. She does not want anyone to know what happened because she "will be too embarrassed." She is milking it for all it is worth, asking the boys to do stuff for her, hold stuff for her, etc. She even tried to get the last dessert by saying, "I'm the one with a sprain." haha it backfired when her dad pointed out that this means her arm cost us $100, so maybe her brothers should get the last dessert. lol</div>
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That brings me to something else. Although I am not thrilled this happened, I am extremely grateful today. I am grateful my daughter is alright. I am grateful for a husband who would take her in to deal with this while I served in my church calling. I am grateful to extended family for their help and support. I am grateful we have access to things like Urgent Care, which is far more cost effective than an ER visit. I am so grateful for technology and qualified doctors. And I am grateful that Brett and I have been putting money aside each month into a specific account for medical expenses and emergencies. We never would have guessed Lexi would be our most costly medical emergency child to date, (this is her 3rd visit) but hey, at least we have the funds to cover it, and can feel grateful she is okay, rather than stressed about the expense. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Cydney Colleen Yerkes </span></div>
Okay everyone, we decided on a name for our new addition. We are not 100% certain, so if she comes out and we change the name, don't be surprised. But for now we are loving the name Sidney. Of course, we have thrown out a million names, and had it narrowed down to a few, but couldn't seem to decide. Then we added this one into the mix. <br />
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My mom's name is Colleen, and we wanted to use her name for the middle name, so we were trying to find a name that worked well with Colleen and Yerkes. This is not as easy as it seems.<br />
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We are also huge fans of the Yankees, and named Alexis after A-Rod, and Derrick after Derek Jeter, so we were debating whether or not to continue the trend with baby #4. But really, there are just not that many cute girl names to be found on the Yankee's roster. <br />
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After a lot of joking around we decided to change the spelling to Cydney, to get a C, and then use Colleen for a second C, and call her CC, which works perfectly because the pitcher for the Yankees right now is CC Sebathia, and we LOVE him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUzGNkhv2ho6xyImAIxz5CqxkmSLY-xYELos7Fi7CTgcvomstU44ssmIUxfuKPtVpX3GUrJMcfadn1rW-ZMBRYifZn0LAeC9m2Nvb5Aq7YwLJlPh5WqgqTkQRogALKOBu8ugG5yqZX3Y/s1600/cc.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUzGNkhv2ho6xyImAIxz5CqxkmSLY-xYELos7Fi7CTgcvomstU44ssmIUxfuKPtVpX3GUrJMcfadn1rW-ZMBRYifZn0LAeC9m2Nvb5Aq7YwLJlPh5WqgqTkQRogALKOBu8ugG5yqZX3Y/s320/cc.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's hoping our little one is far cuter than he is though, huh? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPCvSEalCCJEu_Epid5OOchgojf2WLTW1X2VfZ0ssdFohC6nGgcUY2bMhv9cyeUcKgd9mC4yRiI1aVPfe7EqlKMMf36SATGMY_ZzRmAqWPn5ahQgdMxwHpuBceAa0hh6JSiC66-IhLf8/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPCvSEalCCJEu_Epid5OOchgojf2WLTW1X2VfZ0ssdFohC6nGgcUY2bMhv9cyeUcKgd9mC4yRiI1aVPfe7EqlKMMf36SATGMY_ZzRmAqWPn5ahQgdMxwHpuBceAa0hh6JSiC66-IhLf8/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winner, winner, we have another chicken dinner...</span><br />
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This is a delicious meal! The recipe is originally from <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/">Mels Kitchen Cafe</a> but I found it on Pinterest, and it is was pinned from <a href="http://life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken-with-fried.html">Life is a Lofthouse</a>! It is pretty tasty. I actually made it last week, and we gobbled it up, so I decided to make it again tonight so I could get some pictures for the blog.<br />
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This is the recipe and directions:<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong><u>Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>The chicken coating:</u></span></div>
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3-4 boneless chicken breasts</span></div>
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salt + pepper </span></div>
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1 cup cornstarch</span></div>
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2 eggs, beaten</span></div>
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1/4 cup canola oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>The sweet and sour sauce:</u></span></div>
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3/4 cup sugar</span></div>
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4 tbs ketchup</span></div>
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1/2 cup distilled white vinegar</span></div>
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1 tbs soy sauce</span></div>
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1 tsp garlic salt</span></div>
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Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Rinse your chicken
breasts in water and then cut into cubes. Season with salt and pepper to
taste. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the eggs.
Heat your 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet and cook your chicken until
browned but not cooked through. Place the chicken in a 9x13 greased
baking dish. Mix all of your sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a bowl
with a whisk and then pour evenly over the chicken. Bake for one hour
and during the baking process you will need to turn the chicken every 15
minutes. </span></div>
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I do not bother turning it because I am lazy, I just make sure to coat it good in the first place, and then again near the end I flip it and stir it around. </div>
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I altered this some to make it freezer friendly. I put the chicken in one bag. I put a small bag of corn starch in, just so I have everything. Then I mix up the sauce and put it in a third bag. Freeze. Then thaw the day I want it. Coat the chicken in the corn starch, beat 2 eggs and coat it again, this time in egg. Brown it up, throw it in a pan, and bake for the hour it calls for. I also like to cut back on the sugar some, I probably used closer to half a cup than 3/4, but I do not always measure exact. I served it over white rice, and with steamed broccoli and fresh cut watermelon wedges. Pretty tasty dinner, and very little work from the freezer to the table. It is one of the ones I really like from freezer because it tastes just like it would from fresh, but you do all the work ahead of time and in bulk to cut back on the mess and labor the night of. </div>
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Brett claims this is his favorite of the freezer meals thus far! Can't complain when the hubby loves it! The freezer meal recipe version and bag instructions can be found <a href="http://www.bryerkes.blogspot.com/2012/08/recipes-for-latest-freezer-meal-batches.html">here</a>. I print the bag instructions out on label paper and put them directly on the freezer bag so I have them on hand while preparing the food. Simple as that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKciSi3Bgv9XtKZhm-wn4VBJJJpExfIqucVo5Gs3FPoEiaMeD9geR5JYRthnATym-6d74KBOYt6R0lcoUGnd4HJTyxzI-ocS32uz4alEG2h-mHQQCBTGq5AgOFi0idli2kL1CvX_OtN3w/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKciSi3Bgv9XtKZhm-wn4VBJJJpExfIqucVo5Gs3FPoEiaMeD9geR5JYRthnATym-6d74KBOYt6R0lcoUGnd4HJTyxzI-ocS32uz4alEG2h-mHQQCBTGq5AgOFi0idli2kL1CvX_OtN3w/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaXT8pUAFNyAW3diwDHujMGpOdcVATcimeCOxFFgR6e3LRhH9MXusUWZ3E_PKB0B78ud5M1S01jXY_Ff__kkDgu5n4hJHBrRcKlYKF_FtDitpuwFe2ZSPPXikEblIh_sO1hf_EaTu7xs/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is delicious Flank steak, and twice baked potatoes. Both freezer meal items that we love. I usually reserve this meal for Sunday dinners, but I made a mistake this morning, and needed something really tasty tonight. </div>
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Okay, here is my mistake story: I got my bountiful basket this morning, and wanted a big healthy breakfast full of fresh veggies. I diced up potatoes, green bell peppers, carrots, and a few other veggies, cooked them up in my new birthday omelet pan, and yum, they looked so good. I threw in some diced ham for protein. Topped with fresh diced tomato. The kitchen smelled great, and they looked fabulous. Usually when I make this type of meal (hash), I use some hot sauce or ketchup depending on my mood on the side for a little extra flavor. I opened the fridge and my Sarachi caught my eye. Yum, I love Sarachi. But it is HOT. Without thinking, I squirted a bunch over the top of my bowl of hash, and then settled in to eat it. It was yummy, but uh, yeah, I forgot the <span style="font-size: x-large;">HORRIBLE</span> heart burn I get when I am pregnant and eat anything with too much kick. I paid for that breakfast all day. Tums did not touch it. So I basically avoided food all day, and wanted comfort food tonight! lol</div>
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We had this with a big green salad with lots of cucumber, carrots, radish, etc. And my favorite, Italian Dressing. It was very satisfying, and extremely flavorful.</div>
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The flank steak is one of my faves because it is easy, and tastes fancy. I made up this rub to use on it, in an attempt to copy a rub I liked. It is a little spicy, so adjust according to your taste. Basically, use the oil to coat the outside, put your rub on, marinate for 30 minutes in fridge. Then broil for 6-9 mins per side based on how done you like it. Let it sit for 5 mins, then slice against the grain and serve. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Flank steak rub</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4
teaspoon cayenne pepper (if you do not like spice, cut back here)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon ground cumin</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2
teaspoon paprika</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon dry oregano</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon sugar</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">25
grinds fresh black pepper</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3
tablespoons vegetable oil- to help the rub stay on the steak!</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaaiC87hcf8NZMQ36rpbzQT0YmmelY96bDlnlE8WWgvL04wiPpJWkl0MC25LAAnY4cLuIaTgnsPZt2XpboC4CWamq9lhfV0gOiJgwCOKzTSPYFobahJABkoBSir6QTl-L2yNH-RsQ_D4/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaaiC87hcf8NZMQ36rpbzQT0YmmelY96bDlnlE8WWgvL04wiPpJWkl0MC25LAAnY4cLuIaTgnsPZt2XpboC4CWamq9lhfV0gOiJgwCOKzTSPYFobahJABkoBSir6QTl-L2yNH-RsQ_D4/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yummy Cookies<br />
<div style="color: #444444;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<b>Ingredients:<span class="value"> </span></b></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">3/4</span> <span class="type">c.</span> <span class="name">unsalted butter, softened</span><span class="type"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="type">3/4 c.</span> <span class="name">brown sugar</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">1/4</span> <span class="type">c.</span> <span class="name">granulated sugar</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">1</span> <span class="name">egg</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">2</span> <span class="type">tsp.</span> <span class="name">vanilla extract</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">2</span> <span class="type">c.</span> <span class="name">all purpose flour</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">2</span> <span class="type">tsp.</span> <span class="name">cornstarch</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">1</span> <span class="type">tsp.</span> <span class="name">baking soda</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">tsp.</span> <span class="name">salt</span><span class="value"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="value"></span><span class="type"></span> <span class="name">1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="name"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<b><span class="name">Directions:</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
<span class="name">1. </span>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream
together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and
vanilla and blend in.</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
4. Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a
prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden
brown around the edges. (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook
longer than ten minutes.)</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
5. Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes. Remove
from baking sheet and let cool completely. Makes approximately 3
dozen. </div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
</div>
<div style="color: #444444;">
Courtesy of <a href="http://kelseysappleaday.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-ever-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">Apple a Day</a> </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaXT8pUAFNyAW3diwDHujMGpOdcVATcimeCOxFFgR6e3LRhH9MXusUWZ3E_PKB0B78ud5M1S01jXY_Ff__kkDgu5n4hJHBrRcKlYKF_FtDitpuwFe2ZSPPXikEblIh_sO1hf_EaTu7xs/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Derrick has really been wanting cookies lately, and I am NOT a baker. But these are easy enough, and very tasty. They look fairly browned in this photo, but truly they were crispy outside, soft and chewy middle, which is what I love. I cooked more than 10 minutes despite the warning in the directions because I feel like my oven temp is not that accurate. But hey, they turned out great! I have made them twice in the last two days. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaXT8pUAFNyAW3diwDHujMGpOdcVATcimeCOxFFgR6e3LRhH9MXusUWZ3E_PKB0B78ud5M1S01jXY_Ff__kkDgu5n4hJHBrRcKlYKF_FtDitpuwFe2ZSPPXikEblIh_sO1hf_EaTu7xs/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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We had pot roast sliders for dinner last night, which were super yummy, and today for lunch I was hungry and did not want to spend much time fixing something. Derrick asked for a quesadilla, and I had been dreaming about using the leftovers from last night in tacos, so I that is what I made. It literally took less than 5 minutes to throw them together. I sliced the meat, heated the griddle, crisped up my taco shells with some cheese in them, topped them with the meat, chipolte sauce, lettuce, avocado, and some salsa (wish I had fresh salsa, but it was still delish). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What an awesome freezer meal, totally versatile meat, and so far 2 great meals out of it. Mmmm</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So you can find the recipe for the meat <a href="http://www.bryerkes.blogspot.com/2012/08/recipes-for-latest-freezer-meal-batches.html">here</a>! </div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 3-4 lb beef
roast<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag1: </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 cup
water</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 cup
salsa</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 envelope
onion soup mix</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 envelope
Italian dressing mix</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 envelope
Au Jus mix</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bag
2:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ c sour cream</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Tbs chili sauce</span></div>
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</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 tsp creamy horseradish sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cook roast and bag 1 ingredients in crockpot 6-8 hours. Serve
on rolls, with provolone, and creamy chipolte sauce(bag 2). </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlZUS93Wtm8YU8jHZyFeBALrIc_87x9jgS8wVH2nzE5-aGj53PbT9NarnjFoypfv17C6VFiv8ycZcffky9DdOH_VhHpsyU5_ifjQW7RHEfTSBVEZyU5R-6YVvst3dB5R3036Ub5pUuhQ/s640/IMG_2916.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj239KUQy8u-n6H7iiKLAuONh5jId2840YwDaOPk20PpROvUN-Shv55JhXpge0b31QnypY-f4Yyufju8JHsOiVDlZYFJF98yVvFn5wtIDU6qAvy8Iq_tAKUn_d8iez7QpUYU8FkM-gqaAE/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj239KUQy8u-n6H7iiKLAuONh5jId2840YwDaOPk20PpROvUN-Shv55JhXpge0b31QnypY-f4Yyufju8JHsOiVDlZYFJF98yVvFn5wtIDU6qAvy8Iq_tAKUn_d8iez7QpUYU8FkM-gqaAE/s640/IMG_2917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-39607369885410152082012-09-11T17:58:00.001-07:002012-09-12T13:11:32.289-07:00Beef...it's what's for dinner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Do you remember that slogan? Haha! I do.</div>
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Well, here is another review of a freezer meal, this time the pot roast sliders.</div>
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YUM!</div>
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Another good one. </div>
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I was sooo tired this morning, so I wanted a fast dinner, so I threw this in the crock pot, and then smelled it cooking all day. My mouth was watering. </div>
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After I picked my munchkins up from school we stopped at a local produce stand and bought corn on the cob and watermelon and potatoes. We figured they would be a nice accompaniment to dinner. </div>
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I made homemade french fries with the potatoes, wedged the watermelon, and steamed the corn. </div>
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I baked some biscuits from a can because I wasn't feeling ambitious enough to go home made tonight. It took about 10 minutes for the potatoes and corn to get done, and the
same time for the biscuits to bake, so it was a really fast and easy
dinner. I decided to slice the roast rather than shred it because it seems to stay on the buns (biscuits) better that way and is easier for my kids to eat. But it was super tender, and shredding it would have been a simple matter, for those that prefer shredded meat. Then pulled out some lettuce and avocado to top the sliders.</div>
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The chipolte sauce that came with the recipe was to die for. In fact, I am already dreaming of the tacos I am going to make tomorrow with the leftover meat and sauce. I am super full, but can't seem to get them out of my mind. </div>
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Everyone loved it. Dillan said, "That was freaking good mom!" So you can find the recipe <a href="http://www.bryerkes.blogspot.com/2012/08/recipes-for-latest-freezer-meal-batches.html">here</a>! Under Pot Roast Sliders. I hope your family likes it as much as mine did. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVInh3nSEuhBbSXkfskUbEIjSSiaFMcEeC-qvaihbc4X7rkIS6xJoMpjBP-Mp-voPHLrq3qD6n8ULDXq2UOd1KC2rhhGBNoE4kE6FSAo-Jf8amgQckeH5NHllBPGQQpk06TNEQQtU0oI/s320/IMG_2913.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sliced meat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4Q8WhYQ40tHqiPGoJ1u62RxuDeYLys48zGdPuu3EpsR0lqT3cABiEWeQp_-BvM6IiLlTMsXbLvoGJlaxlQNUnjo8rzEkvvoU2TgY3vTE75qJC5eSAsgg3W5aAN2B5Ktbg63WbdeZfo4/s1600/IMG_2914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4Q8WhYQ40tHqiPGoJ1u62RxuDeYLys48zGdPuu3EpsR0lqT3cABiEWeQp_-BvM6IiLlTMsXbLvoGJlaxlQNUnjo8rzEkvvoU2TgY3vTE75qJC5eSAsgg3W5aAN2B5Ktbg63WbdeZfo4/s640/IMG_2914.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product!</td></tr>
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<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-70283776048551867392012-09-10T20:09:00.000-07:002012-09-12T13:11:54.917-07:00The days are long, but the years are short!Tonight I needed this reminder....<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The days are long, but the years are short! </span><br />
<br />
It has been one of those long days. Mondays are sooo busy for me with work, and just getting everything in order for the week. Today was especially long and tiring. Derrick was GROUCHY all day. Cranky Derrick is not fun, and he tends to be a bit of a tornado when he is ornery. I put him down several times for a nap, and he would fall asleep for about five minutes, then wake back up. <br />
<br />
I had a few personal things to take care of, with Lexi, and life, and then there is the everyday life stuff like cooking, cleaning, getting kids off to school, home from school, etc. I felt like I was a busy bee all day, making phone calls, running errands, putting out fires, and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on.... (you get the point).<br />
<br />
I truly felt like I was swamped all day, but the only thing I feel like I accomplished today was making dinner for my family, and frankly, that wouldn't have happened if it wasn't a pre-made freezer meal.<br />
<br />
When 7:30-8 rolled around, I was soooo glad to put my kids to bed. BUT...like long days have a way of going, my kids were not very cooperative. They would not stop talking, they would not keep the lights off. When I went down to get them back in bed, I found a disaster zone (in what was previously a very clean room, at bedtime the room was spic and span). They had torn their beds apart, etc. Long story short, it got even worse. Ugh. Sometimes, I just feel like it will never get easier, my kids will never stop pushing the buttons, and doing the things they know better than doing. And of course, Brett is not home, so I felt like I was battling alone. <br />
<br />
Being angry with my kids doesn't help. Being frustrated doesn't change anything. It is hard to learn, and harder to put into practice. I decided I better just apply some of that frustration to getting some work done, and try to make up for a day that felt like a waste of time. I sat down to read some articles I had bookmarked for some stuff I had to write, and I happened to come across a heart felt plea to parents to not wish away the years of childhood. It was an interesting article about how parenting does get easier, and kids do grow up, the messes eventually stop, the interruptions eventually stop, the inability to even use the bathroom without someone to knocking and needing something does eventually stop, it spoke to me. It included the phrase "The days are long, but the years are short." Today was certainly long. But I still can't believe Dillan is almost 8, that Derrick is no longer a baby, Alexis has little crushes, etc. <br />
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I am not trying to do a moral of the story post, honestly, I am still furious with my children's behavior tonight, and still trying to wrap my head around why I bothered getting out of bed today, but I am grateful for the tender mercies, and tiny reminders we get along the way that someday it won't feel like such a heavy load. I look forward to that day, and for now I am going to do my best to let the messes go, let the frustrations go, and just enjoy my children being children. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-54091643265335573522012-09-10T17:41:00.001-07:002012-09-10T17:41:17.692-07:00Freezer meal review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, it is time for some freezer meal reveiws. I have not tried all of the ones from the last batch yet, but here is what I think of the ones we have tried. </div>
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<b>Bang bang chicken</b>- Ugh, not my favorite. It is totally bang bang chicken, so if you like that at a restaurant you will probably like it, but for me it was way too salty. I used a barely sweetened peanut butter, so it may have been tastier if I had used less soy sauce and a more sugared peanut butter, but I probably won't repeat that recipe in my rotation. </div>
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<b>Mongolian beef</b>- It was a hit with my family. Dillan was very enthusiastic about it. No one complained. The only change I made was when I made it, the sauce was not thickening up the way I expected, so I added corn starch during the final stages of cooking just so the consistency would be better. We really enjoyed it though. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mongolian Beef</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0UVGvObjDkMhP5IoqCs84yUecCO2Iqb_9iIi4sVx0h8iLivPV0qYfUhMQdC3XE3UhsbI0B03oQSLmQwHn2y7i3jrUqQFekiJFfk0pUrVu1AZO2nvkxb9ZFJagLbbfeJVdA8wR2WiKvU/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0UVGvObjDkMhP5IoqCs84yUecCO2Iqb_9iIi4sVx0h8iLivPV0qYfUhMQdC3XE3UhsbI0B03oQSLmQwHn2y7i3jrUqQFekiJFfk0pUrVu1AZO2nvkxb9ZFJagLbbfeJVdA8wR2WiKvU/s320/IMG_2899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretzel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZsWqQZQsfYtAV5PjmCRkz5jlNiKN2f8ZQTc-17w9yCXOO6pMJK8IIf7dRRIkEFa7C0qLZ5owMCN9TDuTVXs6sB8govh3H5MijDO2XRBEakN43b84pYGIoci5XKZo6zK2iRPJpcs30yI/s320/_MG_2908.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange chicken</td></tr>
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<b>Orange chicken- </b>We love the orange chicken, which you already know if
you follow my blog at all, but I did not love how much sugar it called
for. I cut it in half, and my family did not even notice. Still a
favorite. I added a little extra orange zest.</div>
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<b>Pretzels</b>- They are great, an easy after school snack, and have tons of options. I froze them at the point after making the dough, letting it rise, shaping it, then I let it rise for a few more minutes, and froze. Then when I pulled them out to cook them I added a minute to the baking time, and still did the soda wash and let them stand for ten minutes. </div>
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<b>Flank steak-</b> It is a delicious recipe, and a real winner. </div>
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I will keep you posted on the others as we try them and adjust them to out personal liking!</div>
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<script>document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image%20%3A%20url%28%22http%3A//thecutestblogontheblock.com/backgrounds/classique 3 column.jpg%20%22%29%3B%20background-position%3A%20center%3B%20background-repeat%3A%20no-repeat%3B%20%20background-attachment%20%3A%20fixed%3B%20%7D%0A%3C/style%3E%0A%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text/javascript%22%3E%0Avar%20div%20%3D%20document.createElement%28%27div%27%29%3B%0Adiv.setAttribute%28%27style%27%2C%22position%3A%20absolute%3B%20left%3A%200px%3B%20top%3A%2030px%3B%20z-index%3A%2050%3B%20width%3A%20150px%3B%20height%3A%2045px%3B%22%29%3B%0Adiv.innerHTML%20%3D%20%27%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20href%3D%22%20http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22http%3A//www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/tag.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E%27%3B%0Adocument.getElementsByTagName%28%27body%27%29.item%280%29.appendChild%28div%29%3B%0A%3C/script%3E"));</script><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-9412110546305872942012-09-02T22:41:00.000-07:002012-09-12T13:12:20.501-07:00Pie Pockets...YUM<script>TonigTo</script><br />
<script> </script><br />
<script><a href="http://www.bryerkes.blogspot.com/2012/08/freezerbag-meals.html">Pastry Dough</a> </script><br />
Tonight I had some leftover pastry dough from when I made freezer meals on Tuesday<br />
(recipe <a href="http://www.bryerkes.blogspot.com/2012/08/freezerbag-meals.html">here</a>).<br />
<br />
When I made them, I used them for lasagna pockets, pizza pockets, meat pockets, etc. all savory. Tonight I cut up peaches, and made pumpkin pie filling, and used them to make the pockets into peach pie pockets, and pumpkin pie pockets.<br />
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I used an egg wash on the top. Then I sprinkled them with sugar and cinnamon. Baked them at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, and YUMMO! My kids loved them. I loved them.<br />
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I made several to freeze so that when I need a quick treat I can just throw them in the oven. Brett was awesome and totally helped me out. We also made about 50 pretzels for after school snacks. It was a fun night with my hubby cookin' in the kitchen! <div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-66463532207800028802012-08-31T14:05:00.000-07:002012-08-31T14:05:33.031-07:00Recipes for Latest Freezer Meal BatchesAs you know I have been doing a lot of freezer meals lately. This is in preparation for baby #4, as well as to make my day-to-day life simpler during the school year so that I actually have time to play with my kids, help them with homework, etc. without the stress of dinner hanging over my head. Here are the various instructions, recipes, labels, etc. I used for this last batch.<br />
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These are the instructions/labels I put on the bags that go in the freezer. This way I know how to prepare the food I have in there when I am ready to use it:<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Courier New";
panose-1:2 7 3 9 2 2 5 2 4 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 2 1 2 1 8 4 8 7 8;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 65536 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:굴림;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pretzels:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lightly grease a baking sheet</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dip each pretzel into the soda wash.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sprinkle with salt, let rest 10 mins</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bake for 9 to 10 minutes. Brush with butter while hot<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Soda wash:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whisk together 1/2 cup warm water and 1 tbsp baking soda</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cook in microwave 1 min</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pork chops:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thaw in fridge in marinade. (not more than 7 hours)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Remove chops from brine, pat dry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Brush chops with oil, and cook 2-3 mins per side until browned</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bake at 350 for 20 mins or grill</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pot Roast Sliders:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Put roast and sauce mix (bag 1) in crockpot. Cook 8 hours. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thaw bag 2 while roast is cooking</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Shred or cut meat, serve on rolls with cheese and sauce from bag 2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mongolian Beef:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Coat meat in corn starch, let sit 5 mins. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat 1 cup oil in skillet or wok, and then add coated meat. Cook until
done to your likeness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Remove meat from pan</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Use 1 TBS oil, add bag one, stir fry 30 secs</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add bag 2. Heat until sugar melts, bring to boil. When starts to
thicken, add meat in, let simmer until sauce thickens. Top with Bag 3. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sweet and Sour Chicken:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Coat chicken with cornstarch</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Beat 2 eggs, dip chicken in eggs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat 2 TBS oil in skillet and brown chicken (not cooked through).</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Put chicken in 9 x 13 baking pan, pour sauce over.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bake for 1 hour. Turn chicken half way through. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fried Rice:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat 1 TBS oil in large skillet or wok</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add bag one, stir fry until tender, move to side of skillet</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Scramble 2 eggs in same pan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add bag two and three (rice and soy sauce)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Stir fry until well heated</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lasagna Roll Ups:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bake 30-35 minutes</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Top with extra sauce and shredded mozzarella, let it melt (or return to
oven to melt it)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Orange Chicken</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat wok or large skillet add 1 Tb oil, cook dredged chicken</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Remove chicken, set aside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add Bag 1- wok for one minute</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add Bag 2- Bring to boil</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add chicken back in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Serve over rice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pockets:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preheat oven to 375, line baking sheet</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Place pockets on tray, pierce top with fork. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Beat an egg with 1 TBS water, brush on each pocket pie</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bake 20-25 minutes</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Let rest 5 minutes before serving</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bang Bang Chicken</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat skillet with 1 TBS oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cook chicken, when almost done, add Bag 1. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add Bag 2, Simmer for 5 minutes </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Add Bag 3, cook until crisp tender</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Egg rolls:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat oil in wok or skillet</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cook until light brown</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Serve with dipping sauce</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Meatballs: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thaw, heat, and use as
desired</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are the actual recipes:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pretzels</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the Dough:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>12.5 oz all purpose flour (2.5 cups)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>1/2 tsp sea salt</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>1 tsp sugar</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>2.25 tsp instant quick rise yeast</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mix in mixer, put in Ziploc bag, let rise 30 mins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cut into 8 pieces, roll into ropes and pretzels. (this is
the point where you freeze them if not making them day of)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dip in soda wash, top with salt, let stand 10 mins, bake at
450 for 10 mins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soda Wash:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>1/2 cup warm water</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>1 tbsp baking soda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wisk together and microwave one minute, then dip pretzels</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pork chops</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ingredients</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
1/2 cup kosher salt<br />
1/2 cup molasses<br />
4 whole cloves<br />
1 cup boiling water<br />
7 cups cold water<br />
4 (2 1/4 inch thick) center cut, bone-in pork chops<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
Combine salt, molasses, cloves, and boiling water in a large container. Stir
until molasses and salt are dissolved; let cool to room temperature.<br />
Pour cold water into molasses mixture; stir to combine.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bang bang chicken</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 chicken breasts, cut into strips </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bag 1: <br />
1 clove of garlic, minced<br />
2 tsp. ginger root or bottled ginger<br />
1 scallion, chopped into 1 inch pieces or 1 small onion, chopped<br />
Bag 2: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3/4 cup water<br />
6 tbsp. soy sauce<br />
6 tbsp. peanut butter (creamy or chunky)<br />
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar<br />
Bag 3: 4 cups broccoli florets or florets and spears (if not using fresh the
day of)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3-4 boneless
chicken breasts</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag 1:</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">salt + pepper</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 cup
cornstarch</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 eggs, beaten
(not frozen)</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sauce bag:</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/4 cup sugar</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4 tbs ketchup</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1/2 cup
distilled white vinegar</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 tbs soy
sauce</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 tsp garlic
salt</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cream cheese pastry</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">8
tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4
ounces cream cheese, softened</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4
cup heavy whipping cream</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 1/2
cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 132.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2 teaspoon coarse salt<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 132.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mix all but flour and salt, then add in flour and
salt until combined and holds together in ball. Turn into well floured surface,
and divide. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Roll dough out, center to edges, turning
frequently until 12 inches wide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut circles. Fill with whatever fillings you want. Then crimp
edges with fork</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 132.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roast sliders</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roast:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 3-4 lb beef
roast<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag1: </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 cup
water</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 cup
salsa</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 envelope
onion soup mix</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 envelope
Italian dressing mix</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 envelope
Au Jus mix</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bag
2:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">¼ c sour cream</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Tbs chili sauce</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 tsp creamy horseradish sauce</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Serve
on rolls, with provolone, and creamy chipolte sauce </span></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Meatballs</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ingredients:</span></h3>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 lb. lean ground beef</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 egg</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Tbsp. water</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2 cup bread crumbs</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4 cup minced onion</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2 tsp. salt</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1/8 tsp. pepper</span></li>
</ul>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Preparation:</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In large bowl combine egg, water, bread crumbs, onion, salt and pepper and
combine. Add ground beef, broken into chunks, and mush with your hands to
combine. Form into meatballs about 1" in diameter and place on a broiler
pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until meatballs are no longer pink
in center. Cool and freeze, or when baked, use in your favorite recipe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mongolian Beef </span></b></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag one:</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">½ teaspoon
ginger, minced</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 tablespoon
garlic, chopped</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag two: </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">½ cup soy
sauce</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">½ cup water</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">¾ cup dark
brown sugar</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 lb flank
steak</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">¼ cup
cornstarch</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag 3:</span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 large green
onions, chopped</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fried Rice</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag 1:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1cup diced ham</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 cup frozen peas
and carrots (thawed)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 small onion,
chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 tsp minced
garlic</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 eggs, slightly
beaten</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag 2:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">cups cooked white
rice (day old or leftover rice works best!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3 tbs sesame oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bag 3: 1/4 cup
soy sauce</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lasagna Roll up</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cook
lasagna</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Layer
sauce (prego)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Layer of
cheese filling (one pint cottage cheese and one ricotta mixed together with
garlic and a cup of paremsan)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Layer of
ground beef- Cook with garlic, onion powder, and salt pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roll them
up, freeze on a cookie sheet with wax paper individually, then pop in a ziplock
bag</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Orange
chicken</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chicken cubed and dredged in seasoned flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bag 2: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6 1/2 tablespoons orange juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5 tablespoons sugar </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 orange, zest of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bag 1: Stir fry mix: <br />
<br />
1 teaspoon garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red chili pepper 1/4 cup
green onion, chopped 1 tablespoon rice wine</span></div>
<br />
I know this is a long post, sorry I need to start doing it as links, but I am kinda lazy.<br />
<br />
Also, I got some of the recipes from Pinterest and various other sources, of which I can't remember all, but I am not taking credit for them. I do adjust and make changes to most based on preference, but they are not my original recipes by any means. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit my blog at http://bryerkes.blogspot.com</div>Yerkes familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02119159351355402541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378062437060835438.post-81936693296805497022012-08-30T13:22:00.001-07:002012-08-30T13:22:29.875-07:00Pretzels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPJWoD-hO71V7v4J1PLjIGEdXismh4T0mbCtaw-acwzSEuCGJYOSx9du62YV5vklgn-UWs8zgW_lj34oCjc1Xs8V8FD8Z5VoZ7LdPCgOwjpr2ITIRcZiTgW6xbzE9WkOjYQl0PdF09s4/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPJWoD-hO71V7v4J1PLjIGEdXismh4T0mbCtaw-acwzSEuCGJYOSx9du62YV5vklgn-UWs8zgW_lj34oCjc1Xs8V8FD8Z5VoZ7LdPCgOwjpr2ITIRcZiTgW6xbzE9WkOjYQl0PdF09s4/s640/IMG_2899.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
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So I know my blog used to read like a travel blog, and now it is like a food blog, and I would apologize, but I just can't. This is my life. I LOVE food. And today I came upon another winner winner! Soft pretzels. We love them. My kids love going to "Waffle cone Wednesday" at the mall, when TCBY sells their waffle cone size frozen yogurts for $1. I always end up buying soft pretzels, and defeat the purpose of saving money on the frozen yogurt. I have bought the frozen ones before and made them at home, but they are just not as good. Well today I finally tried this recipe I have been sitting on. Derrick wanted to go out for donuts, but who has time/money/energy for that? Beside we went last week, and lately my definition of watching my figure has been "watching it expand". So, long story short, I attempted the overwhelming pretzel recipe. It scared me because there was like an entire page of written instructions for how to make them. Uhhhh such a disservice, as they were so EASY! I like to cook, hate to bake, and never try anything with too many ingredients or too long of instructions, as I am a mom of three very active children, so let's be honest, it just doesn't happen. </div>
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These were fast, they were easy, and yummy. Crispy crunchy outside, soft chewy inside. </div>
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Here's the scoop on how to do it:</div>
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Stick this stuff in your mixer:</div>
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1 cup warm water</div>
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2.25 tsp instant quick rise yeast </div>
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2.5 c flour</div>
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1 tsp sugar</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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I used the paddle for about 30 seconds, then switched over to the dough hook, and mixed for about 4 minutes, until the dough was one big ball and not sticky. </div>
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Then stick the dough in a ziplock bag with some flour on it so it doesn't stick to the edges. </div>
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Let rise 30 mins or so.</div>
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Then cut your dough into 8 pieces (makes only 8 pretzels, so you may want to double this recipe), and roll each piece into a "snake" as I called it with Derrick, but really just make a rope, then fold into a pretzel shape. Derrick really had fun with this part, which is nice because kids love to help cook, so why not let them roll out and shape their own pretzel?</div>
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Then in a bowl put the following:</div>
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1/2 cup warm water</div>
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1 TBS baking soda</div>
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Microwave for 1 min</div>
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Dip pretzels in the soda wash (this is what makes them brown and crispy), and place on greased baking sheet. sprinkle with the big chunky salt. </div>
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At this point you want to preheat your oven to 450. Then let the pretzels sit 10 minutes before baking them. I just cleaned up my counter and got my toppings out during then ten minutes. </div>
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Bake for 9-10 minutes.</div>
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Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with other toppings if you don't want salt! </div>
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YUMMY!</div>
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We did the salt ones, and some cinnamon and sugar. They were delicious either way. Really, such an easy recipe, especially since it is all stuff I almost always have on hand (no butter, etc. required to make the dough). And fresh, hot, delicious pretzels are a great treat.</div>
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I am going to try freezing them at the rolled out stage, before the soda wash, and see if they bake up well from frozen, because I think it would be nice to be able to pull them out and make them on the fly for after school snacks, etc. I will post an update</div>
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